The Cheatham County Community Enhancement Coalition will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There are three drop-off locations in the county: Walmart in Ashland City, Ren Mar Center in Pleasant View and Kingston Springs Pharmacy in Kingston Springs.
Last year, 338 pounds of prescription drugs were turned in during the local event.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines —flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.
