People who wanted to dispose of old and unused medication in North Augusta were able to do so with a Drug Take Back event over the weekend.
North Augusta Department of Public Safety, staff from Parks Pharmacy and volunteers spent April 27 collecting old and unused medication that will later be disposed of by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Lt. Clay Swann with the North Augusta Department of Public said drug take back day takes place place twice a year and it's something that people have to sign up for.
The event is a national event that is made possible by DEA in which localities nationwide participate in collecting old drugs to be disposed of, as well as preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from starting.
Laura Knotts, who is a pharmacist at Parks Pharmacy, said the DEA will pick up the medication, which is taken to a location for incineration.
She said the event allows people to get dangerous drugs out of their homes. In most years around 130 pounds of medication is collected during the local event.
“It’s a great opportunity to have some awareness of who we are and what is exactly going on in the community,” Knotts said. “Trying to help with the opioid diversion.”
