In recognition of Earth Day, Tennessee American Water announces its fifth year of partnering with other community organizations for the 2014 Drug Take-Back event on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The purpose of this event is to keep drugs out of the environment and off of the streets. Local residents are encouraged to simply drive up and drop off their old medications – prescriptions or over-the-counter -- for proper disposal at one of the six Chattanooga area locations:
• Blood Assurance – 705 East 4th Street
• East Chattanooga Improvement – 1502 McCallie Avenue
• Walgreens – 2289 Gunbarrel Road
• Walgreens – 3605 Brainerd Road
• Walgreens – 4542 Highway 58
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department- Sub Station – 6233 Dayton Blvd
The local Drug Take-Back program corresponds with a national initiative sponsored by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and offers citizens a chance to safely and conveniently dispose of unwanted, unused prescription or over-the-counter drugs (for both pets and people) and avoid misuse or unintentional harm to families, pets and the environment.
The program has positive community and environmental benefits. Having unused or expired medications in the home can lead to medication errors, accidental overdoses, or inappropriate use. In a well-intentioned effort to avoid these problems, many people flush unwanted medications down the toilet as a means of disposal. However, flushing medications means that traces of these drugs eventually end up back in the environment.
“The Drug Take-Back offers residents an opportunity to take a proactive approach in preserving our environment. Even the seemingly smallest efforts of an individual can have a much larger impact on protecting both our environment and our community,” said Deron Allen, president of Tennessee American Water.
Along with Tennessee American Water, other sponsors for the Drug Take-Back are:
• East Chattanooga Improvement, Inc.
• Blood Assurance
• Chattanooga Police Department
• U.S.
Department Drug Enforcement Administration
• Hamilton County Coalition
• Walgreens Pharmacy
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (drop off date on campus: April 22 to accommodate students’ schedule)