Saturday (Oct. 24) is Drug Take Back Day to get potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted drugs off the street. The event is 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in front of Greer CPW’s Customer Service Complex, at 301 McCall Street. A drive through will be set up as citizens remain in their vehicles.
"With the cancelation of our April drug take back event due to COVID-19, we know this collection event will be important. We anticipate seeing an increased amount of medicine," said Sergeant Jeff Smith, Community Outreach Officer with the Greer Police Department. The Greer PD and Greer Commission of Public Works are partnering in the event.
"We accept any kind of over the counter or prescription pills, including pet medicine for our annual drug take back day. This event has proved to be successful the past four years collecting 190 pounds in 2016, 158 pounds in 2017, 112 pounds in 2018 and 286 pounds in 2019," Smith said.
Do not bring liquids, needles or sharp objects, only pills or patches.
Greer CPW is particularly interested in properly disposing medicines instead of having customers flush or pour them down the drains because the diluted medicines can be passed into the stream after the treatment process. “
"When people pour or flush medicine down the drain, Greer CPW is unable to fully treat the medicine at our wastewater treatment plant. The pills are diluted and returned to the stream following the treatment process. This can pose significant risks to future drinking water," said Alison Rauch, Greer CPW Public Information Coordinator.
Citizens are asked to combine pills in one enclosed zippered plastic bag and avoid bringing multiple bottles with personal information on it.
Once the pills are collected in Greer, they will be taken to Columbia to be burned at high temperatures.
A drop off box is available 24/7 at the Greer Police Department at 102 South Main Street or at Greer Memorial Hospital.