On Aug. 16, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Hamilton County Coalition and the Minority Health Fair, will provide an opportunity for the public to dispose of its potentially dangerous expired, unwanted, and unused medications at Eastgate Town Center, 5600 Brainerd Road.
The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
In April 2014, Chattanooga and Hamilton County residents turned in more than 1,000 pounds of medication at local take back sites.
Participation in local medication take back events has increased significantly, and is crucial in addressing both public safety and health concerns. Drinking water and our environment can be contaminated, so it’s not safe to throw medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet.
It’s also unsafe to allow medications to languish in home cabinets due to the high rates of medication abuse, misuse, and accidental poising.
The safest disposal alternative is to participate in medication take back events or take medications to one of these three permanent locations:
• Chattanooga Police Department, 3204 Amnicola Highway, Property Room (423) 643-5153
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, 6233 Dayton Boulevard (423) 209-8900
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, 8395 Hickory Valley Road (423) 893-3503
Acceptable items include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, ointments, medical lotions, drops, liquid medications in leak-proof containers, inhalers, and pills in any container or packaging.
Unacceptable items include illegal drugs and narcotics, needles or sharps, blood sugar equipment, thermometers, IV Bags, bloody or infectious waste, and personal care products (shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, etc.)
Source: Hamilton County Sheriff’s office and the Hamilton County Coaltion