Students, faculty and staff members had the opportunity to get rid of their expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on September 24 at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs annual on-campus βDrug Take Backβ event. Hosted by ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Student Health Services and ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Police Department, the event was to educate the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ community on proper drug disposal and offer a convenient way to dispose of medicines for free. Practicing proper drug disposal protects the nationβs waterways, as well as helps to keep the substances out of the hands of abusers.
A total of 75.5 pounds of medicines was collected; the most since the event was initiated five years ago. βEach year we see better and better utilization of this program,β said Brenda Walker, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ pharmacist. βItβs great to see that people are paying attention to the importance of proper drug disposal.β
In addition to the annual event, the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ community can dispose of medications year-round thanks to two permanent drug take back boxes located in the main pharmacy and Student Union.
The event is part of a national take back program administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration). Local law enforcement agencies like ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Police and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.