Baptist Health Corbin collects unused medicine to help curb drug abuse

Ever wonder what to do with those old, unused prescriptions that said “take as needed,” but you only needed about half of them? How about what to do with your grandmother’s left over medication after she passed away?

This weekend you will have the chance to dispose of those medications safely thanks to the efforts of a Corbin pharmacy and the federal government.

On Saturday (April 27) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacy and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacy, which is located at 1 Trillium Way, will play host to Saturday’s disposal event. It also has a secure disposal container available year-round, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in case you miss Saturday’s event.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Sites cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.

Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacists Lynn McArthur added, “Up to 80 percent of patients have leftover opioids after elective surgery. It is important to dispose of all unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs so they don’t get into the wrong hands. Drug abuse is a very real problem in our area and we want to do everything we can to help eliminate this temptation.”

The 26^th Take Back Day is an effort backed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to collect expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications.

During the DEA’s last National Take Back Day in October 2023, there were 4,675 collection sites that collected 599,897 pounds or 300 tons of prescription medications. The total weight of medications collected all time during the national take back days is 17,900,351 pounds or 8,950 tons, according to the DEA’s website.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including those from home medicine cabinets, so clearing out unused medicine is essential, Baptist Health Corbin officials wrote in a release.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or call Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacy at (606) 526-8335.