Local residents have another chance this year to discard expired or unwanted prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.

The fall Drug Take Back event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, in the lobby of the Murphy Police Department, 206 N. Murphy Road.

“We get prescription and over-the-counter drugs and medications, and now including vaping cigarettes, with no questions asked,” said Police Lt. Adana Barber. She added that while other cities have similar programs, people do not have to be Murphy residents to drop off their unwanted pharmaceuticals. “We don’t check IDs,” she said.

Properly disposing of drugs can prevent them from being abused, as statistics show more than 70% of people abusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends or relatives right out of the family medicine cabinet.

The hundreds of pounds of pharmaceuticals are boxed and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for destruction.

The program provides a place where unwanted or expired drugs can be safely and securely taken rather than placed in the trash or dumped into household drains.

Barber said people who flush prescription drugs down their toilets or sinks may be placing the larger community at risk, since the contaminated wastewater may eventually find its way back into the system.

The program does not accept new or used injection needles or syringes, but they can be sealed in a sturdy container and placed with regular household trash.

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