The Sevierville Police Department (SPD) will participate in the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by hosting a local event on Saturday, October 24. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., citizens can securely and anonymously dispose of unneeded prescription medications at the Walmart Neighborhood Market, located at 1185 Dolly Parton Parkway. This initiative provides a crucial opportunity for residents to clear their homes of unused drugs, reducing potential risks within the community.
In addition to this specific event, the Sevierville Police Department offers a permanent Drug Take Back receptacle for public use. This receptacle, located at 300 Gary Wade Boulevard, is available any time and day of the week, allowing for continuous, free, and anonymous drug disposal. The ongoing availability ensures that residents can always access a safe method for medication removal from their households.
The program accepts various forms of prescription medications. This includes tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescribed drugs. Liquid medications are also accepted, provided they are securely sealed in their original containers. The primary goal of these collection efforts is to remove unneeded medications from homes, thereby reducing the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion, particularly among children or individuals who might improperly access them.
Among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications are prescription opioids, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These include substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. The availability of secure take-back options directly addresses the dangers associated with these powerful drugs remaining unsecured in residences, contributing to broader public health and safety efforts.
DEA Administrator Terry Cole highlighted the significant impact of these national take-back efforts. "Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than twenty million pounds of unneeded medications from their homes," Cole stated. He emphasized that by participating, individuals are "preventing potentially addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands – a small step that can save lives." Cole also expressed gratitude to the numerous law enforcement and community partners who facilitate these events and urged everyone to participate on October 24.
Beyond the local Sevierville event and the permanent SPD drop box, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is part of a wider network of medication disposal options. For those unable to participate on the designated day, more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses nationwide offer safe medication disposal year-round. Many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes, reinforcing the message that safe disposal is accessible daily.
