South Dakotans are encouraged to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs at participating locations– such as pharmacies and police stations– as part of National Prescription Take Back Day on Saturday (Oct. 26, 2024).
State Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff says The first collection in the state was held in 2016. Since then, over 95,000 pounds of unused medication has been collected. He says unwanted, unneeded or unused medications can become temptation for misuse and abuse.
With the increasing danger of fake pills and fentanyl-laced pills, keeping any pills off the street, and the illegal market, takes on a growing importance. If you come across pills or medication in a public place like a park or parking lot, do not touch them or pick them up. Instead, the Department urges you to call law enforcement as they have been trained to dispose of the item(s) safely.
For those who cannot make it to a take back site, DisposeRx packets are available for free from 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.
The bi-annual effort is a partnership with the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy.
To find the closest take-back locations or to order DisposeRx packets, visit https://www.avoidopioidsd.com/take-action/safe-medication-disposal/.
DSS also offers free medication lock boxes to help families safely store medications in their homes. Those can be requested at https://www.avoidopioidsd.com/take-action/medication-lock-boxes/.
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