Lowcountry medical professionals warn about the causes of overdose on Drug Take-Back Day

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there have been over 2,000 overdose deaths in the state, with more than half of those caused by prescription drugs.

That’s why Lowcountry medical professionals are drawing attention to common causes of drug overdoses – and they’re not the ones people expect.

Many people overdose not because they took counterfeit pills or “shot up,” but because they borrowed prescription drugs from family and friends.

This Saturday, several locations will be participating in drug take-back day, taking people’s leftover pills, capsules, ointments and more.

Trident Medical Center is hosting Crush The Crisis drive-thru take-backs at the following locations:

• Moncks Corner Medical Center
  • 401 N. Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
• Emergency in Brighton Park
  • 1626 N. Main St., Summerville, SC 29486
• Summerville Medical Center
  • 295 Midland Pkwy., Summerville, SC 29485

The Drug Enforcement Administration has set up event drop-off locations on October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To find your nearest location, visit the DEA Collection Site Locator.

There are also many locations that accept unused medications year-round. You can visit the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services’ map of these locations across the state at justplainkillers.com/drug-safety.

DPH Health Clinic locations offer free overdose prevention safety kits. These kits include fentanyl test strips, naloxone, treatment resources and instructions for use. No appointment is required and you are not required to provide ID to receive a kit.

To find a drug take-back location, click here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.