MURFREESBORO — MTSU
experienced a record day during its third Prescription Drug Take-Back Day April
24.
Representatives collected 57.8 pounds of medications dropped
off by primarily MTSU employees during the event, which was held near the
Campus Pharmacy drive-thru outside the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation
Center.
“We were shocked,” Campus Pharmacy pharmacist Tabby Ragland
said. “We felt like it was an extremely successful take-back event. We did
three times the amount (19.4 pounds) that we collected in the fall.”
Part of a national prescription drug take-back program,
MTSU’s event is held so that medication users can properly dispose of their
unused, old and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
MTSU has collected nearly 88 pounds of medicine during the
three take-back days. MTSU Public Safety will turn the medicines over to an
official with the Drug Enforcement Agency, which will destroy them, Ragland
said.
Ragland said a “very strong, successful first hour” got
things off to a solid start, and it grew from there.
Kara Hooper was among the dozens of people who either
hand-delivered or drove through the drop area with medications they no longer
needed.
“I am very
grateful for the drug take-back day because I'm concerned about the environment
and the affects that pharmaceuticals have on our water supply,” said Hooper,
who serves as director of MTSU Creative and Visual Services. “The fact that
MTSU provides a safe way to dispose of unused drugs in such a convenient way is
very valuable to me.”
Ragland said
contributors remain anonymous. Students from Lipscomb University’s College of
Pharmacy used markers to black out information on the prescription vials.
Sgt. Vergena
Forbes represented Public Safety during the six-hour collection period.
The
event is a collaboration between Public Safety, Campus Pharmacy, Health
Services and Health Promotion.
Ragland said
the fourth take-back day will be held in the fall, likely in late October.
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