According to the Oklahoma Adult Prescription Survey, over 3 in 4 Tulsa County adults do not dispose of unused prescriptions properly (2020). Old prescription medications can be dangerous and must be disposed of properly to protect our health and environment. Unintentional drug overdose and contamination to our waterways are growing concerns in Oklahoma; both are consequences to improper medication disposal. This event is one easy way to address an important public safety and public health issue. Last April, nationally this program collected 420 tons of medication, and we hope to do even better on October 23rd.
On Saturday, October 23, 2021, you can bring your unwanted, unused, or expired prescription drugs to one of TEN drop-off locations and drop them off for free to be properly and safely disposed of. This will be a drive-thru event from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Staff will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing. We are unable to accept inhalers, liquids, or medical marijuana. Syringes will be accepted at select** locations only. Drop-off locations include:
– Four Reasor’s locations (11116 S Memorial Dr, Bixby; 3915 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa; 7114 S. Sheridan Road**, Tulsa; 2001 S. Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah),
– Walgreens (2323 W Edison St, Tulsa)
– The M.e.t. Recycling Center (3495 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa)
– Elks Lodge (5335 S. Harvard, Tulsa)
– Broken Arrow Events Park (21101 E 101 St.**, Broken Arrow)
– Sand Springs Police Department (602 W Morrow Rd, Sand Springs)
– Northeastern Health Systems (1400 E Downing Street, Tahlequah)
**New this fall – two locations will accept medical sharps: 7114 S. Sheridan Tulsa – sharps must be in a sealed hard container before dropping off 21101 E 101 St. Broken Arrow – sharps must be in a sealed, red sharps container
COVANTA and OBNDD will be providing free at home medication mail-back kits in addition to disposal kits at selected sites for the public to dispose of medication in between events. This free event is made possible thanks to the following partners: Coalition Against Prescription and Substance Abuse of Tulsa, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, The State of Oklahoma, Tulsa Health Department, City of Tulsa, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs OBNDD, The Metropolitan Environmental Trust, Reasor’s, Tulsa County, Think Smart OK, AmeriCorps RSVP, the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration, Sand Springs Police Department, and OSU – Tulsa County Extension, Safe Kids, and Walgreens.
As a side note specific to the Broken Arrow Events Park collection is a Trash Bash & Recycling Rally. Besides medication and sharps, the event will also collect tires, electronics, ammunition, cardboard, paper shredding, batteries, plastic grocery bags and food waste.