RALEIGH, N.C. -- State Attorney General Josh Stein is traveling the state this week ahead of this weekend's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

  • It’s incredibly important to not only store your medications in a safe spot away from the reach of children
  • It’s ideal to use a safe drug disposal program, either through a drug take-back day like the National one on October 27, or through an ongoing community program, drug deactivation bag or drug mail-back program
  • Fore more information on the biannual event, visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website

Many are either over prescribed, obtain prescription drugs illegally, or very commonly take from family and friends. Three North Carolinians reportedly die each week from medications or drug overdoses.

Experts say it’s incredibly important to not only store your medications in a safe spot away from the reach of children but also keep an eye on adults who have access.  Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair spoke with Dr. Ashley Spates, a Pharmacist with CVS in Holly Springs, about the importance of properly storing and disposal of medication.

Over the last two decades, Spates says prescribing rates have tripled and roughly 60,000 people die each year due to drug overdoses.  A 2015 National Survey of Drug Use and health found 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription meds. Child poisonings have also become an issue with tens of thousands sent to the emergency room each year.

That’s why Spates says it’s ideal to use a safe drug disposal program, either through a drug take-back day like the National one on October 27, or through an ongoing community program, drug deactivation bag or drug mail-back program.

Thousands of pharmacies house disposal binds, and many law enforcement agencies also have places to safely and securely dispose of your medications. However, not everything can be dropped off. 

CVS Pharmacy disposal bins allow for:

  • Any unused or unwanted prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter meds and liquid medication bottles
  • Less than 4 ounces in a zip lock bag are allowed  

Items that can’t be dropped off include:

  • illegal drugs
  • needles
  • syringes
  • sharp containers
  • medical devices
  • batteries
  • aerosol cans
  • inhalers
  • chemicals
  • devices that contain mercury  

Spates says just make sure you read the bins fully before you drop off anything.

If you do have medication that you want to keep, experts say to consider storing them high, away and out of sight. You should also think about items you might not consider medication like vitamins, diaper rash creams, eye drops, and hand sanitizer, as these too can be harmful to children. Once you use your med’s, make sure the safety cap is locked and the items are properly stored and put away.

If there is a problem, you can call the Poison Control Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. You can call with questions about how to take or give medicine.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this Saturday, October 27.  Fore more information on the biannual event, visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website.