The South Dakota Department of Social Services and the state Attorney General’s Office are encouraging people with unneeded prescription medication to safely dispose of it Saturday (April 27, 2024) during National Drug Take Back Day.
The event is an opportunity for citizens to safely dispose of their unwanted, unneeded, or unused medication at participating locations which include pharmacies and law enforcement agencies. The service is free and anonymous.
Attorney General Marty Jackley says unneeded or unused medication can be deadly if it is used by someone it was not prescribed for. He says National Drug Take Back Day is a great opportunity to safely dispose of such medications.
DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff says properly disposing of medications is a small thing we can all do to combat the big issue of drug abuse. Since South Dakota began participating in the National Prescription Take-Back Day in 2017, nearly 53,000 pounds of medication has been collected for destruction through participating collection locations.
For those who cannot make it to a designated take-back site, DisposeRx packets are available for free from the DSS and can be mailed directly to you. DisposeRx packets contain an FDA-approved ingredient that, when mixed with water, chemically and physically neutralizes the medication so it can be safely thrown away at home. The packets work with pills, tablets, capsules, liquids, and powders.
To find the closest take-back locations or to order DisposeRx packets, visit https://www.avoidopioidsd.com/take-action/safe-medication-disposal/.
DSS also has medication lock boxes available free of charge to help families safely store medications in their homes. Lock boxes can be requested at https://www.avoidopioidsd.com/take-action/medication-lock-boxes/.
Image credit South Dakota Department of Social Services website.
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