Drug Take Back Day on April 26 aims to rid area homes of unwanted medications

Did you know that over 50 percent of misused prescription medications come from family and friends? The source of those prescription medications is often the home medicine cabinet. 

Saturday, April 26, local law enforcement and prevention coalitions will host five prescription drug take-back sites in Taney and Stone counties during the DEA National Rx Take Back Day. 

“Each Rx Take Back event gives community members the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired and unused prescription medications,” says Marietta Hagan, CoxHealth project coordinator.

Rx Take Back Days are a great alternative to flushing medications, which is discouraged. Rx Take Back Days and the use of the permanent drug drop boxes protect area waterways from contamination from medications. City and county sewer systems and private septic systems are designed to treat biological waste and do not remove medications that are flushed down the toilet or dropped down a sink.

During the Rx Take Back Day, medication drop off locations will be set up on Saturday, April 26, at the following locations:

●      10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Walgreens Pharmacy – 210 State Highway 165, Branson

●      10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Lakeland Pharmacy - 1232 Branson Hills Pkwy, Branson         

●      10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Walgreens Pharmacy – 101 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister

●      10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Lakeland Pharmacy – 16269 US Hwy. 160, Forsyth

●      9 a.m. to noon - Recovery Walk - Port of Kimberling Marina & Resort Pavilion - 201 Marina Way, Kimberling City (Kimberling City Police Department booth)  

Over-the-counter medications, pet medications and prescription medications are accepted in pill form, liquid form, patches and creams. No inhalers or needles/syringes accepted.  

To locate an Rx Take Back Day location near you, visit DEATakeBack.com.

Contact information: Marietta Hagan, 417-239-5165, Marietta.Hagan@CoxHealth.com