Prisma Health will join organizations across the county on Saturday, April 24 as a collection site for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Between 10 a.m.-2 p.m., several hospitals in the Upstate will have a bin where people can safely and responsibly dispose of expired or unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous. Locations will have security personnel and COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed, according to a release by Prisma.
Related: Opioid epidemic hits home, hits hard
Syringes will not be accepted.
“The national opioid crisis continues to claim countless lives, but through our collaborative efforts with local hospitals and EMS agencies, we are excited to do our part by being a collection site for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” said Nicole Bookstaver, a pharmacist with Prisma Health. “It is imperative that unused prescription drugs are not getting into the wrong hands for recreational use.”
According to a 2019 DEA survey, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain killers and almost 6 million people misused prescription sedatives. The survey revealed a majority of misused prescription drugs were taken from family and friends.
Last year, almost 1 million pounds of prescription drugs were turned in at about 4,500 collection sites by the DEA and its partners.
Collection sites in the Upstate include:
- Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital — In front of the main entrance (Take Back Bin is next to Upstate Pharmacy on 1st floor)
- Prisma Health Greer Memorial Hospital — In front of main entrance (Take Back Bin is inside the Main Entrance)
- Prisma Health Hillcrest Memorial Hospital — In front of ER entrance (Take Back Bin is outside next to ER Entrance)
- Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital — In front of ER entrance (Take Back Bin is outside next to ER Entrance)
Find out more about treatment for substance abuse, visit: https://takebackday.dea.gov/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4ImEBhDFARIsAGOTMj-erBqKNTTT6GO5q9GFcfrv7Pev-gcJ3Yqwc64f1XjRDFXXiUKs9MQaAtL0EALw_wcB
