Safely Dispose of Meds in Abilene: Medication Cleanout Day Event

If you have been caring for parents, grandparents, or anyone who takes a lot of medications, it can be a challenge to figure out how to dispose of meds properly. There are places in Abilene where you can dispose of some medicines but not all.

Most places DO NOT take sharps, needles, or hypodermics that are used for insulin and medical injections, or narcotic medications that are strictly regulated.

Fortunately for us here in Abilene, Texas Tech's School of Nursing (TTSN) holds an event once a year called Medication Clean-Out Day. For several hours Abilenians can drop off all expired or unneeded medications including sharps.

While I was researching what we can and cannot dispose of in the trash, I learned that once a medical item has left the pharmacy, doctor's office, hospital, medical supply office, or store, it can no longer be used. Not even if it's new and in its original packaging. It must all be disposed of properly.

Photo by: TTUHSC Abilene

I also discovered that the reason a lot of places like Drug Emporium and other pharmacies do not accept sharps and narcotic medications is because of the costs involved in transporting and destroying said medications. So gather up all your leftover meds and sharps, and make your way to the TTSN Medicine Clean-Out Day event.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, and will be a drive-through drop-off at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (1674 Pine Street) near downtown Abilene. Source: TTUHSC / Medication Clean-Out Day is Coming to Abilene