It is no secret that West Virginia is at the epicenter of America’s opioid crisis, leading the nation in deaths from overdose.
Many times, unused prescription drugs contribute to the problem after finding their way into the wrong hands.
Prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved to be abused or illegally sold and drugs flushed down toilets contaminate the water supply, according to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) advice.
In an effort to get some of these unused prescriptions out of medicine cabinets and off of the streets, the DEA bi-annually hosts National Prescription Take-Back Day during the last Saturday of both April and October.
On these days, the DEA sponsors collection sites throughout the country where medications can be dropped off for proper disposal.
Today, April 27, from 10 a.m-2 p.m. is the first Prescription Take-Back Day of 2024.
Most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family, friends and acquaintances, according to the DEA, so it is important to keep track of the medicine you have, rethink where and how you keep your medications in your home, and safely dispose of any unused medications.
If you have any expired, unused or unwanted medications or prescriptions in your home, you can help prevent and reduce medication misuse and opioid addiction by properly disposing of them at a designated drug-collection site.
Several local law enforcement agencies are participating, making collection sites available throughout the area today, along with a few that are available every day regardless of Drug Take-Back Day.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office announced it will have collection boxes available at the sheriff’s office on Walnut Street in Morgantown, Pierpont Landing Pharmacy, Kroger Pharmacy at Suncrest Towne Centre, Mon Health Medical Center and The Village at Heritage Point.
The West Virginia University Police will also have a location available at the station off Van Voorhis Road.
The pharmacy at Sam’s Club in University Town Centre is also a location through the Granville Police Department.
Collection boxes will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. No questions will be asked when dropping off medicines; however, needles or syringes cannot be accepted at Take-Back Day collection locations.
If you are unable to visit a drop-off location today, the DEA lists several drug collection locations in Mon County available any day of the year, including Walgreens Pharmacy on Chestnut Ridge Road, WVU Hospitals, WVU Student Health Center at 390 Birch Street, CVS pharmacies on Pineview Drive and Monongahela Boulevard in Star City, Walmart at 75 Retail Circle, and the Clay-Battelle Pharmacy in Blacksville.
For more information on the importance of properly disposing of prescription medications and additional drug collection locations in West Virginia, visit dea.gov/takebackday.
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