Safely dispose of medications with Sumter law enforcement

Gather your expired and unused prescription drugs, and help law enforcement in Sumter in the fight against drug abuse by disposing of medications to law agency offices for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday.

Sumter County Sheriff's Office, 1281 N. Main St., and Sumter Police Department, 335 N. Lafayette Drive, will collect unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Liquids, needles and other sharp items will not be accepted.

Medications that are dropped off at either law enforcement office will be collected by the Drug Enforcement Administration to be properly disposed of.

Law enforcement recommends those who use prescription medications to participate in Prescription Drug Take-Back Day instead of keeping medications on the shelf or throwing them in the trash to reduce the chance of others getting the drugs. Prescription medication users are also urged not to flush medications down the drain because they could contaminate local water systems and the environment.

A previous news release from the sheriff's office said the majority of prescription drugs that are abused come from family and friends who do not know the medication is being used.

For more information, call the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at (803) 436-2000 or Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2700.