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National Prescription take-back day is Saturday

Prescription Drugs
SDPB
/
SDPB
Prescription Drugs

National Prescription Take-Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 28.

The South Dakota Department of Social Services said unwanted or expired medications can be safely and discreetly dropped off for disposal at participating locations like pharmacies and police stations.

For people who want to participate but cannot reach a take-back site, FDA-approved DisposeRX packets can be mailed directly to you.

DisposeRX packets are made with an ingredient that when mixed with water and chemically and physically neutralize your medication. It can then be safely thrown away at home.

Last Spring, the National PharmaDrop take-back program took in over 1,000 pounds of medication in the month of April.

On April 22, South Dakota's Spring National Take-Back Day took in close to 400 pounds of medication.

Matt Althoff is the Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary.

“We encourage you to bring unused, unwanted, or outdated prescription drugs you might have at home and to deposit them, no questions asked, in a secure drop box where they will be safely disposed of. This small measure may prevent drug abuse. For this, we thank you,” said Althoff.

Your nearest take-back location and directions for ordering DisposeRX packets can be found here.

Evan Walton is an SDPB reporter based in Sioux Falls. Evan holds a Master’s in English Literature from Southern New Hampshire University and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 2015, where he served for five years as an infantryman.