PIERRE— National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a national initiative to safely dispose of unused or expired medications, is on Saturday October 25th. It highlights a shared dedication to preventing medication misuse and protecting public health, with strong support from the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, and participating law enforcement agencies.

Since joining the program in 2016, South Dakota has collected more than 113,399 pounds of medications through designated drop-off sites and the DSS Safe Disposal Program. These efforts help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, overdose, and drug diversion.

“Unused or expired medications pose a significant risk when they fall into the wrong hands, potentially leading to harmful or even tragic consequences,” stated DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff. “We urge South Dakotans to safeguard their communities by utilizing this safe, anonymous disposal opportunity.”

For those unable to visit a designated take-back site on October 25, many pharmacies across South Dakota have PharmaDrop boxes that collect medication year-round. If you prefer to safely dispose of your medication at home, DisposeRx packets are available for free from DSS and can be mailed directly to you. DisposeRx packets contain an FDA-approved ingredient that, when mixed with water, chemically and physically neutralizes the medication so it can be safely thrown away at home. The packets work with pills, tablets, capsules, liquids, and powders.

To find the closest take-back locations or to order DisposeRx packets, visit https://letsbeclearsd.com/prevention/safe-disposal.

DSS also offers free medication lock boxes to help families safely store medications in their homes. Lockboxes can be requested at  https://letsbeclearsd.com/prevention/medication-lockboxes.

With the increasing danger of fake pills and fentanyl-laced pills, keeping any pills off the street, and the illegal market, takes on a growing importance. If you come across pills or medication in a public place like a park or parking lot, do not touch them or pick them up. Instead, the Department urges you to call law enforcement as they have been trained to dispose of the item(s) safely.

-30-

The South Dakota Department of Social Services is dedicated to strengthening families to foster health, wellbeing, and independence. For more information, please visit dss.sd.gov.