In recognition of National Drug Take Back Day, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) will host a Drug Take Back Drive-Thru Event on Friday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the round-a-bout in front of the Primary Care/Rotunda Entrance of the hospital.
The event provides community members a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. Unused medications that are old, unwanted, or no longer needed pose a serious public safety risk and can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, or addiction. According to national data, most individuals who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from a family member or friend’s medicine cabinet.
“Proper disposal of medication is one of the simplest yet most effective ways we can protect our families and community,” said Jason White, Deputy Pharmacy Director at CIHA. “Unused prescriptions, especially opioids, can easily become a source of harm if they’re not securely handled or properly destroyed. Safe disposal helps prevent addiction, accidental exposure, and environmental contamination.”
In addition to Friday’s Drug Take Back Event, CIHA maintains a permanent medication disposal drop box located near the Emergency Room entrance, allowing the community to safely dispose of medications year-round. On average, the CIHA Pharmacy sends boxes containing 40-gallon bags—each averaging 25 pounds of medications—for destruction twice a month.
From January 1 to December 31, 2024, the pharmacy shipped 23 boxes of medications for destruction—equaling roughly 920 gallons of medication waste and 575 pounds of medications safely removed from circulation.
“We want to make it easy for everyone to do the right thing,” added White. “Even a single bottle of unneeded medication taken out of a home is a step toward a safer community.”
Bring your unused, unneeded, or expired medications to the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority on Friday, October 24th anytime between 11a.m. and 4p.m.
For more information on prescription drug abuse prevention, visit:
www.DEA.gov
www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com
www.JustThinkTwice.com