TDCI Partners to Provide Shred-It/ Drug Take-Back in Southeast TN on Oct. 22

Monday, October 17, 2016 | 04:12pm

NASHVILLE – On Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, residents of Hamilton, Bradley, Marion, and Polk counties can safely dispose of outdated medications or shred their personal documents and records during a multi-county effort that coincides with National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Saturday’s event in southeast Tennessee is the result of a coalition of numerous partners – including the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs, Tennessee American Water, among others – working together to provide important consumer outreach. The event brings together law enforcement, businesses, and both state and local organizations to offer a convenient and safe way for residents to dispose of medications and sensitive documents.

“Partnerships like this one create valuable opportunities to protect Tennessee consumers,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “We encourage local residents to gather their outdated medications and personal documents and stop by one of the convenient drop-off locations for secure disposal.”

From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EST), residents can drive up and drop off their old medications (prescription or over-the-counter) for proper disposal at 16 locations across Hamilton, Bradley, Marion, and Polk counties. Document shredders provided by TDCI’s Division of Consumer Affairs will be available at the Hamilton County locations listed in bold face. The locations are as follows:

  • Hixson Walgreens - 5478 TN Highway 153
  • East Brainerd Walgreens - 2289 Gunbarrel Road
  • Mt. Cannan Baptist Church– 4801 Highway 58
  • Northshore Walgreens - 110 North Market Street
  • Signal Mtn. Police Dept. -1111 Ridgeway Avenue
  • Brainerd Walgreens - 3605 Brainerd Road
  • East Ridge Walgreens - 5301 Ringgold Road                                                      
  • Ooltewah Walgreens - 9307 Lee Hwy
  • Red Bank Food City (formerly Bi-Lo) – 3901 Dayton Boulevard                                                           
  • St. Elmo Walgreens – 3550 Broad Street
  • Soddy Daisy Walgreens – 121 Harrison Lane
  • Cleveland Walgreens – 35 25th Street
  • Cleveland Police Dept. – 10 Church Street NE
  • Bradley Co. Sheriff’s Office – 2290 Blythe Avenue SE
  • First Baptist Church, Benton – 2498 Parksville Road
  • Whitwell Police Dept. – 1361 TN-28

Throwing out old drugs reduces the risk of your home being targeted for a drug-related theft and the risk that children or family members might accidentally fall ill from taking medicine kept past its expiration date. However, flushing medications means traces of these drugs eventually end up back in the environment. The local take-back event offers Tennesseans a chance to safely dispose of unwanted, unused prescription or over-the-counter drugs while avoiding misuse or unintentionally harming families, pets and the environment.

“Experience shows that the most effective and cost-efficient way to ensure high-quality water at the tap is to keep our source waters clean,” said Tennessee American Water President Valoria Armstrong. “We support this partnership because it helps spread an important message to the public: Don't flush medications down the toilet, where they would eventually end up in our waterways.”

Safely ridding your home of unwanted prescription medicine is something citizens can do regularly. Click HERE to locate the nearest Prescription Drug Take-Back Box location in Tennessee.

For more consumer resources, including additional Tennessee shred events, visit the TDCI Division of Consumer Affairs at WeHelpConsumers.tn.gov.

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