ETSU’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy students help remove dangerous prescription drugs from the community by hosting the Drug Take Back event.

Drug Take Back occurred on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in parking lot 22C. The College’s American Pharmacists Association—Academy of Student Pharmacists Operation Substance Use Disorders patient care committee sponsored the event. The event allowed the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication. 

“A drug take-back event serves as a safe way for people to dispose of unused or expired medications rather than simply throwing them in the trash or flushing down the toilet, both of which are extremely dangerous and harmful to the environment,” said Christina Tarasidis, student leader for the Drug Take Back. “The goal of this initiative is to decrease the risk of accidental drug overdoses or poisonings associated with holding onto unused or expired medications.”

Photo of students disposing medications. (Contributed/Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy)

Along with the safe drug drop-off, Naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, was given to those who requested it for free. Those who asked for the medication were also given a free demonstration of how to use it. 

“The event was extremely successful. We gathered 190 pounds of medications, five of those pounds were controlled medications, such as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. We had a lot of community members who took advantage of the drive-thru we had set up,” Tarasidis said. 

This event is a great way for ETSU to help its community fight the drug crisis in the area and protect the environment from harmful chemicals. It also provides pharmacy students with experience and the opportunity to practice drug safety. 

“The DEA hosts two drug take back events, one each semester, and they have many places around the area that set up booths. It is very easy to do a quick search for ‘DEA Drug Take Back Day’ to get more information,” Tarasidis said. 

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