Hamilton County residents will have an opportunity this weekend to safely dispose of unused or expired medications as part of a nationwide effort to combat prescription drug misuse.
The Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs will host a drive-thru medication drop-off event Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon in the east parking lot of Riverview Health, across from Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville.
The event is part of the 30th annual National Drug Take Back Day coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The initiative, held each spring and fall, aims to reduce access to potentially dangerous medications that often remain in home medicine cabinets.
Locally, Hamilton County has participated in the program for years, collecting hundreds of pounds of medications annually.
“A critical aspect of the prescription drug epidemic is the supply chain,” said Monica Greer, executive director of the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. “For most people who misuse these drugs, the source isn’t an anonymous street dealer but a trusted friend or family member, and the point of access is the home medicine cabinet.”
Greer said removing unused or expired medications from homes can play a key role in preventing misuse and abuse.
The April 25 event will accept expired and unused prescription medications, as well as vape devices. However, organizers say liquids, sharps and needles will not be accepted. Those items should instead be taken to the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center for proper disposal.
For residents unable to attend Saturday’s event, year-round disposal options are available at several local law enforcement agencies, including the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, as well as police departments in Fishers and Westfield. Some retail locations, including Walmart, Walgreens and Meijer, also offer medication drop-off services.
Officials encourage residents to take advantage of the event as a simple step toward improving public health and safety.
Additional information on local medication disposal can be found at www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov