The Doctors continue to take on the opioid epidemic in our United States of Addiction series and share a simple, but important, way that can help combat the growing problem. They urge everyone to not throw your unused pills in the trash.
Watch: Recovering Opioid Addicts Share Their Stories
ER physician Dr. Travis Stork also says to not flush pills down the toilet. "This can contaminate our land as well as our water supply," he explains. In addition to possibly affecting the environment, unused pills left in a medicine cabinet could possibly end up in the hands of people they are not intended for.
He shares there are a variety of places where you can drop off unused pills, such the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, or to your local police or sheriff's station, many of which have special mailboxes outside of the station to deposit the unused medications at any time without questions.
Watch: One Opioid Prescription Can Get You Addicted
Additionally, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens provide resources and drop off locations to safely dispose of old pills.
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place on April 28, 2018, from 10 AM to 2 PM. To locate a collection site near you, click here.
