MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Point Landfill will provide secure disposal of prescription medications and vape products for National Prescription Drug Takeback Day today and Saturday, October 27-28.  Middle Point Landfill General Manager *Mike Classen told WGNS they will be helping with the disposal of the medications collected...

Prevention Coalition for Success, a Rutherford County, nonprofit dedicated to creating healthier communities by reducing substance misuse, is hosting events at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic (MMC), the Smyrna Police Department and Reeves-Sain Drug Store at which people can safely and anonymously surrender unused prescription medication and vapes.

Middle Point will provide secure collection bins for all three events, and all collected medication and vape products will be disposed of safely and securely.

“Our mission is to foster clean, safe, healthy communities,” said Mike Classen, general manager of Republic’s Middle Point Landfill in Murfreesboro. “Helping combat addiction via safe-surrender programs is an important part of that, and we are honored to help PCS with this important work.”

“During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, we have an incredible opportunity to prevent drug misuse by removing medications from homes, and we also have a real chance to save lives by talking to our young people about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.  This year, we are excited to add the collection of vapes. This is an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and their proper disposal, “said Sarah Murfree, PhD, executive director of Prevention Coalition for Success.

“In order to prevent substance and medication misuse, MMC partners with Prevention Coalition for Success and the Rutherford County Sheriff's office to provide a safe place for residents to dispose of unused medications. Not only does this reduce cluttered medication cabinets, it reduces dosing errors, overdoses and medication experimentation by youths, and gives us another opportunity to educate the public about these dangers. With the rising number of e-cigarettes usage by young adults and the health risks they present, we are glad to be able to collect disposable vapes, and hopefully, keep them out of the hand of children,” said Zane Cook, M.D. with Murfreesboro Medical Clinic.

Drug-disposal events will take place on Friday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, 1272 Garrison Drive, Murfreesboro; on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Smyrna Police Department, 400 Enon Springs Road E., Smyrna, and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Reeves-Sain Drug Store, 1801 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro. Middle Point will provide safe disposal at all three events.

Other sponsors include the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, TrustPoint Hospital, and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Drug Take Back Events:
Friday, October 27, 2023 at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic
Address: 1272 Garrison Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Time: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Smyrna Police Department
Address: 400 Enon Springs Rd E, Smyrna, TN 37167
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Reeves Sain Drug Store
Address: 1801 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

*Mike Classen – Pronounced: Mike "Class-in"