The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, by cleaning out and properly disposing of unused or expired medications.
Annually in April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) partners with local law enforcement and other community organizations to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Days.
According to the DEA, nearly 50% of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. The most recent data (from 2023) shows there were 2,157 drug overdose deaths in South Carolina, a 6.1% decrease from 2022. Of those overdose deaths, 1,982 were attributed to prescription drugs.
Rx take back drop-off events will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday. To find a local take back site near you, visit the DEA's Collection Site Locator.
Locations will collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. Additionally, the DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop-off locations, provided lithium batteries are removed.
Many locations also accept unused drugs year-round. The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, through its Office of Substance Use Services, provides a map of these locations around the state, and other helpful information, here.
Free Overdose Prevention Safety Kits are available to all community members at DPH health clinic locations. The kits contain fentanyl test strips, naloxone (Narcan), treatment resources and instructions for their use. Appointments are not needed, nor is identification required.
Additional information about DPH opioid prevention programs is available on DPH’s Opioid Epidemic webpage.
