Most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family members and friends – often from the medicine cabinets in their homes, according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In order to reduce access to unused or expired medications, the Cardinal Health Foundation and Kroger will host Drug Take Back events at 12 Kroger pharmacy locations in metro Atlanta on Saturday, October 26. The events, slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., are part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The following metro area Kroger locations will host Drug Take Back events:

Alpharetta:                 Kroger

10945 Statesbridge Road

Alpharetta, GA 30022

Atlanta:                       Kroger

227 Sandy Springs Place

Atlanta, GA 30328

Atlanta:                       Kroger

3871 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, GA 30319

Cumming:                   Kroger

5550 Bethelview Road

Cumming, GA 30040

Dallas:                         Kroger

457 Nathan Dean Boulevard

Dallas, GA 30132

Duluth:                        Kroger

6555 Sugarloaf Parkway

Duluth, GA 30097

Fayetteville:                Kroger

134 Banks Crossing

Fayetteville, GA 30214

Flowery Branch:          Kroger

4025 Winder Highway

Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Griffin:                        Kroger

1524 Highway 16 West

Griffin, GA 30223

Loganville:                  Kroger

4753 Atlanta Highway

Loganville, GA 30052

Peachtree City:           Kroger

564 Crosstown Drive

Peachtree City, GA 30269

Tucker:                        Kroger

4357 Lawrenceville Highway

Tucker, GA 30084

Drug Take-Back events provide a safe, convenient and anonymous opportunity for individuals to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs in their own community.

Local law enforcement officers will be present at each site to accept unused and expired pills, liquids, gels, patches and sharps, including loose needles, lancets and syringes. (No medications accepted in any Kroger store.)

Signage in parking lots will direct participants to drop off areas, and Kroger pharmacy associates will distribute free DisposeRx® at-home medication disposal packets and share Generation Rx educational resources. Generation RX, an evidence-informed prevention education program created a decade ago through a partnership between the Cardinal Health Foundation and The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, offers age-appropriate resources to educate everyone, at any age, about using medications safely.

“Proper disposal of unused prescription medication helps keep drugs out of the wrong hands,” said Jessie Cannon, Cardinal Health’s Vice President of Community Relations. “Safe disposal is one of the key medication safetymessages of our Generation Rx program—and the Cardinal Health Foundation is pleased to join Kroger in hosting Drug Take-Back events.”

“The October Drug Take Back events are an important step to improving the health and welfare of people who reside in our local communities,” said Felix Turner, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “Kroger pharmacists are available to educate customers about proper medication use and disposal, and our pharmacies offer naloxone, the life-saving medication that helps rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Free DisposeRx® at-home disposal packets are also available for customers taking qualifying medications.”

The Cardinal Health Foundation has partnered with Kroger to conduct Drug Take Back events across the U.S. for several years. During the April 2019 events, officers collected 25,453 pounds of unused prescription drugs for safe disposal.