MTSU Campus Pharmacy Director Tabby Ragland (partially hidden) reaches to receive a package of prescription drugs from MTSU James E. Walker Library administrative assistant Gwen Williams Oct. 25 near the pharmacy drive-thru outside the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center. (MTSU photos by News and Media Relations)

The second MTSU Prescription Drug Take-Back Day proved almost as successful as the first one, event organizers said.

As part of a national initiative, the drug take-back day was held outside the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center. Campus Pharmacy, Public Safety and Health Promotions co-sponsored the event.

Campus Pharmacy Director Tabby Ragland said 23 pounds of prescription drugs and over-the-counter items were turned in by the campus community and public. In April, more than 29 pounds was collected.

“We had a good turnout of people and 23 pounds is still a good amount that was collected,” Ragland said.

This event allows the MTSU community and general public the opportunity to dispose of expired or unneeded prescriptions and over-the-counter medications responsibly, said Lisa Schrader, director of MTSU Health Promotions.

“We appreciate the support of campus in public health-related events like these,” Schrader added. “People who brought medicines to our event can know they really contribute to a safer and more environmentally friendly community.”

October is Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, and the campus drug take-back event gives the MTSU community an opportunity to get medicines they no longer need out of their homes and out of danger of being misused, Schrader added.

Organizers requested people keep medications in their original packaging when possible, and black out any personally identifying information on the labels.

Ragland said the organizing committee will determine a date for the spring drug take-back day.

For more information, call Schrader at 615-494-8704 or email her at Lisa.Schrader@mtsu.edu.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy student volunteer Joshua Brown of Nashville prepares to drop a pair of prescription medications into the cardboard collection box as classmate Jonathan Stewart of Murfreesboro prepares to hand him one more. The Lipscomb students assisted Campus Pharmacy, Public Safety and Health Promotions with the documentation of the collected items from the event.