Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to Host Medication Cleanout Event
Later this month, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is hosting another Medication Cleanout™ event. The Health Sciences Center will be working with the Texas Panhandle Poison Center (TPPC) to put on the event.
The Medication Cleanout™ will be held Saturday, March 20 from 10am-2pm at the Texas Tech Physicians Medical Pavilion, located at 3601 4th Street.
Medication Cleanout™ events are designed to properly dispose of all expired, unwanted or necessary medications, whether or not they are prescription or over-the-counter.
TPPC Managing Director Jeanie Jaramillo-Stametz, Pharm.D. also notes the Medication Cleanout™ event provides disposal services for syringes or sharps.
“Medication Cleanout™ is a proactive approach to safeguard our communities by providing a free and convenient way for people to dispose of these medications in a legal, environmentally sound and convenient manner,” Jaramillo-Stametz added.
Now is the time to clean out your medicine cabinets and remove these items from your homes to reduce the risk of poisoning by medications.
"In addition, many people, whether pre-teens, teens or adults are experiencing depression and sadness due the pandemic. This could lead them to impulsively turn to the medicine cabinet for relief or as a suicidal gesture, so by taking just a few minutes to clean out your medication, you could be saving a life because poisoning, which includes medication overdose is the third most common means of suicide today in the U.S," she said.
TTUHSC officials note that face coverings are not required to attend the Medication Cleanout™, but they are asking for them to be worn to help "protect event workers".
The Medication Cleanout™ event will be set up in a drive-thru format. Those dropping off their unwanted medications won't have to exit their vehicles. Again, the Medication Cleanout™ will be held Saturday, March 20 from 10am-2pm at the Texas Tech Physicians Medical Pavilion.