ABILENE, Texas — The Texas Panhandle Poison Center (TPPC), managed by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, is hosting Abilene’s annual Fall Medication Cleanout from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, outside the TTUHSC School of Nursing building, 1674 Pine St.
Providing a safe, secure and environmentally-friendly way for people to properly dispose of expired, unwanted or unnecessary medications is the priority for the event which features a drive-thru, drop-off format which allows residents to conveniently dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications without leaving their cars.
Medications should be left in their original containers. The program also provides disposal services for syringes and sharps. Because of environmental restrictions, collections are limited to only medications from households. Loads from pharmacies, clinics, nursing homes and other businesses cannot be accepted. Yard signs will be posted to help drivers locate the drive-thru path.
“It’s time to go through your home to collect any medications which are no longer being used,” TPPC Managing Director Jeanie Shawhart, Pharm.D., said. “Even if they aren’t expired, cleaning them out is a good idea. Otherwise, they pose a risk for poisoning and drug overdose.”
Shawhart said bringing items to the medication cleanout also ensures medications will not end up in the landfill or sewer system, where they could eventually make their way into our drinking water.
“Old medications become potential sources of poisoning to young children or may be accessed by teens experimenting with drugs,” Shawhart said. “They also pose a hazard for adults and elderly as they increase the risk of choosing the wrong bottle or taking medications that are no longer required.”
For more information, call 325-696-0425 or visit MedicationCleanout.com.
