Drop off unwanted pills, patches and pet medicine 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Greer CPW, 301 McCall St. No questions asked. No sharps or liquids.

You can get rid of old and unwanted medication in Greer on Saturday, no questions asked.

The Greer Commission of Public Works and the Greer Police Department hold Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The drop-off is at Greer CPW’s Customer Service Complex, 301 McCall St.

The details come from the city’s announcement.

What to bring, and what not to

You can drop off:

  • pills
  • patches
  • pet medications

Do not bring sharps, such as needles, or liquid medications. Organizers asked people to leave those at home.

Why it matters

Greer CPW estimates it has collected more than 1,500 pounds of unwanted, unused or expired medication in the 10 years it has run the event.

“It’s important for us to make sure any unused medication is disposed of properly, not flushed down the toilet, thrown in a trash can, or left sitting in a medicine cabinet for temptation of maybe a teenager or someone who has an addiction to get ahold of,” Greer Police Capt. Chris Forrester said.

Greer CPW, the city’s utility, said drugs that are flushed or thrown away can reach waterways and wastewater systems, where they cannot always be completely removed.

The Greer event falls on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The city said it is the 31st national take-back day.

What it means for you

If you have pills, patches or pet medicine you no longer need, take them to 301 McCall St. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Nobody will ask what they are.

If you cannot make it Saturday, the city says there are permanent drop boxes at two places:

  • the Greer Police Department
  • Greer Memorial Hospital

Downtown will be busy at the same time. The Arts and Eats Festival runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday on Trade Street, so plan your route. Our Arts and Eats guide has the street closures and parking.