WVU’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness and University Police Department will host National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday (Oct. 23).
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the community is invited to stop by the University Police Department lobby at 992 Elmer Prince Drive to safely dispose of unwanted medications.
“This is really an opportunity for the community to get rid of medicines that may be in their houses, apartments, or dorms so we can keep those medicines from becoming dangerous,” said newly-named University Police Chief Sherry St. Clair.
The Office of Health Promotion and Wellness purchased a 38-gallon medication disposal kiosk. With this medication disposal system, WVU can safely accept prescription medications, over the counter medications, and liquid medication bottles less than 4 ounces.
The kiosk’s permanent location is in the University Police Department’s lobby. “Having the kiosk at the Police Department allows the community to dispose of unused medicines any time. The Police Department is open 24-hours a day, year-round, and they have free visitor parking,” said Amy Sidwell, program director of the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.
University Police Sergeant Pat Bonafield is coordinating WVU’s National Drug Take Back Day this fall with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Protocols from the DEA include preserving the anonymity of individuals disposing of medicine. No questions will be asked, and there will be no requests for identification.
WVU’s American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists will be directing participants to the UPD parking lot and will have informational material available inside the lobby. “By participating in National Drug Take Back Day, we, as students, are committed to bettering the well-being of our community,” said Lauren Hooper, APhA-ASP Operation Substance Use Disorders co-chair.
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