Nation­al Pre­scrip­tion Take Back Day Octo­ber 27, 2018 at Onslow Memo­r­i­al Hospital

Onslow Memorial Hospital is joining with other area hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, local law enforcement and community partners to collect unused prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, October 27.

A “drive-thru drop off” will be set up at the main entrance of the Hospital near the flag pole to offer a convenient and efficient way to participate in the event. All medications should be in their original containers. Over-the-counter medicines, syringes and sharps will also be accepted.

“This is another example of how our community comes together,” says Dr. Penney Burlingame Deal, president and CEO of Onslow Memorial Hospital. “We aim to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.”

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an initiative of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is observed in the spring and fall. Nationwide, the spring event brought in 949,046 pounds – 474.5 tons – from more than 5,842 sites. Onslow County collected more than 255 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications during its April event.

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugsThe study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information about prescription drop off locations in our area, please click here.