The Drug Enforcement Agency is hosting National “Take Back Day” on Saturday for prescription drugs and there are several locations in the WBTW News13 viewing area. 

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control said in a press release they are “encouraging residents to drop off unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs at participating locations around the state during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 27.”

“Held twice a year, this national event organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides a safe, convenient and responsible way for the public to dispose of prescription drugs while also increasing awareness about the risks of unused or expired medicines, including those that remain easily accessible in medicine cabinets,” states the release. 

“While it’s easy to overlook, leaving old or unused prescription medicines in your home can be associated with a lot of risks, including being mistaken for other medications and being abused by someone seeking recreational drugs,” said Shelly Kelly, DHEC’s Director of Health Regulations. “DHEC is proud to support the ‘Take Back Day’ initiative to assure medicines are disposed of properly.”

“During the April 2018 Take Back Day, Americans turned in 474.5 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 locations,” according to the release. Medicines can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating drop-off locations.

According the DEA’s Take Back Day website, there are several drop-off locations in our area, including:

  • Conway Police Department: Walgreens, 1601 Church Street, Conway, SC
  • Florence Police Department: West Florence High School, 221 N. Beltline Drive, Florence, SC
  • Florence Police Department: First Baptist Church, 300 S. Irby Street, Florence, SC
  • Myrtle Beach Police Department: CVS, 1308 38th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach
  • Whiteville Police Department: Columbus Regional Healthcare, 500 Jefferson Street, Whiteville, NC

For more information about “National Take Back Day” and other drop-off locations, visit the DEA’s website here.