Dispose of unwanted medication at Lowcountry sites on National Drug Take Back Day
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Law enforcement agencies and other authorized collectors across the Lowcountry are participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 29 giving residents a safe, convenient way to clear out their medicine cabinet.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the twice-yearly event encourages the public to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired medication “as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.” The DEA notes that nearly 50% of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets.
Data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control indicates that opioid overdoses have increased statewide since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, there were 1,400 deaths involving opioids in South Carolina, a nearly 60% increase from the previous year.
“Properly disposing of unused medications is critical in preventing prescription drug misuse,” Emma Kennedy, Director of DHEC’s Division of Injury and Substance Abuse Prevention said. “Our hope is that these National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events motivate South Carolinians to take this small step in safely getting rid of the medications they no longer need, as well as educating themselves and sharing information about the potentially fatal dangers of misusing prescription drugs. All medicines should only be used as directed.”
Drop sites will be set up across the area from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday for the takeback and will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids, syringes, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
| Agency | Location |
| Charleston County Sheriff’s Office | Vincent’s Drugstore 110 Planted Row Ln Johns Island, S.C. 29455 |
| Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office | Litchfield Exchange 14329 Ocean Highway Pawleys Island, S.C. 29585 |
| Goose Creek Police Department | GCPD Headquarters 519 N Goose Creek Blvd Goose Creek, S.C. 29445 |
| Joint Base Charleston | Air Base 101 Lawson Dr Joint Base Charleston, S.C. 29404 Naval Weapons Station |
| Mount Pleasant Police Department | Walmart 1481 N Hwy 17 Mt Pleasant, S.C. 29464 Tidewater Pharmacy |
| MUSC Public Safety | MUSC Bus Stop Johnathan Lucas Street |
| Santee Cooper | Santee Cooper Headquarters 1 Riverwood Dr Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461 |
| Summerville Police Department | SPD Headquarters 300 W 2nd N St Summerville, S.C. 29483 |
*EDITOR’S NOTE: These are locations listed on the DEA website as of Oct. 25. Changes may be made to this article as new sites are added.
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Author: Sophie Brams
