SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Have prescription meds you’re looking to dispose of safely?
This Saturday, April 22, national DEA Take Back Day will be underway with local law enforcement agencies in New Hanover County participating, as well as one pharmacy in Brunswick County and Novant Health facilities in both counties, as well as Pender.
The day welcomes residents to drop off expired medicines or unneeded prescriptions. Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs are not accepted unless otherwise noted. Liquid products — i.e. cough syrup — must be tightly sealed in the original container.
The Drug Enforcement Administration started the program a decade ago as a safety measure to prevent misuse of medications, with a goal to also thwart addiction.
Drugs can be dropped off at below participating places, all within 25 miles of Wilmington:
- Wrightsville Beach Police Department, 3A Bob Sawyer Dr., with drop-off in the public safety lobby, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, 3950 Juvenile Center Rd., Castle Hayne, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Novant Health New Hanover Medical Plaza, 2243 South 17th St., Wilmington
- Novant Health Scotts Hill Outpatient Surgery Center, 9104 Market St., Wilmington
- Walgreens, 1019 Grandiflora Dr., Leland, 9 a.m. to noon
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, 240 Hospital Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422
- Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy, 2131 S. 17th St., Wilmington, NC, 28401
- Novant Health Emergency Department – Scotts Hill, 151 Scotts Hill Medical Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28411
- Novant Health Pender Medical Center, 507 E. Fremont St., Burgaw, NC, 28425
At Novant Health locations
All medications, syringes, e-cigarette and vaping devices with batteries removed will be accepted.
Novant also installed medication take back containers in its hospital lobbies as part of its sustainability goals and initiatives. Anyone in the community may use the containers free of charge to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription and/or over-the-counter medications.
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