Protecting Our Personal and Community Health with Medication Safety

Lori Giles, RPH, Director of Pharmacy, Starr Regional Medical Center

Medications often play an important part in healing from an illness or injury, and they can be critical to treating ongoing health conditions. Unfortunately, medications can also create dangerous and harmful situations if used incorrectly or disposed of improperly. Together, we can prevent these situations by establishing and maintaining safe medication habits.

Medication Safety Best Practices

By taking the time to safely dispose of medications we no longer need, we can help prevent accidental poisonings, reduce opportunities for misuse and diversion, and keep potentially harmful substances out of our homes and environments. Here are some medication safety tips you can use to prevent drug misuse, abuse and diversion in our community:

• Use medications responsibly. Take medications only as prescribed by a provider, and never share your prescription medications with anyone. Here are some other helpful tips:
  • Always keep a current list of your medications, including ones you only take on occasion. Share your list with close family members and keep a copy in your wallet.
    • Include the medication name, dose, how often you take it, the method for taking it (by mouth, injection, etc.) and the reason for taking it.
    • Don’t forget to include over-the-counter drugs, herbals, vitamins and dietary supplements.
    • Include any allergies, the names and phone numbers of your providers and your preferred pharmacy.
  • Reach out to your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about side effects or drug interactions with your medications.
• Ensure proper storage. Always lock the cap on medication bottles, and keep your medicines in a safe and secure location out of the reach of children and out of sight from friends and visitors. Each year, thousands of emergency department visits result from unintentional medication overdoses among children under the age of 5 years, and many people who misuse pain medications obtain them illegally from others.
  
• Safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Never throw your medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Discarded medications can be easily retrieved and abused or illegally sold, and medicines flushed down the toilet can contaminate the community water supply. Safely dispose of your unused and expired medications to help prevent accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse, while promoting a healthy environment for your family and neighbors.

Find a Medication Drop Box or Take-Back Program Near You

Medication drop boxes are a convenient, free and anonymous way to safely dispose of your unused and expired medications. Click here to find year-round drop boxes near you. These locations make it easy to drop off any medications that are gathering dust in your medicine cabinet. By properly disposing of them, you are helping to make your home and community healthier.

If you would like more information about safe medication use, visit http://consumermedsafety.org/.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Collection sites in our community are listed below. Please call the location prior to your visit to confirm the hours and accepted medications. 

McMinn County Sheriff Department
1319 S. White Street, Athens, TN 37303
423.745.5620

Athens Police Department
815 North Jackson St., Athens, TN 37303
423.744.2730