On Saturday, October 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Greer Commission of Public Works and the Greer Police Department will once again partner to get potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted drugs off the street.
“With the cancelation of our April drug take back event due to COVID-19, we know this collection event will be important. We anticipate seeing an increased amount of medicine,” said Sergeant Jeff Smith, Community Outreach Officer with the Greer Police Department.
Citizens are asked to bring their medicine, no questions asked to 301 McCall
Street, Greer SC 29650 (CPW Headquarters). Please do not bring liquids,
needles or sharp objects, only pills or patches.
A drive through will be set up in front of Greer CPW’s Customer Service Complex and citizens are asked to remain in their vehicles. The process should take less than 5 minutes.
WHO: CPW and Greer Police Drug Take Back Day
WHEN: Saturday, October 24 th , 2020
TIME: 10 – 2 PM
WHERE: Greer CPW, 301 McCall Street
“We accept any kind of over the counter or prescription pills, including pet medicine for our annual drug take back day. This event has proved to be successful the past four years collecting 190 pounds in 2016, 158 pounds in 2017, 112 pounds in 2018 and 286 pounds in 2019,” Smith said.
In addition to keeping the drugs off the streets, Greer CPW is particularly interested in properly disposing of medicines instead of having customers flush or pour them down the drains because the diluted medicines can be passed onto the stream after the treatment process.
“When people pour or flush medicine down the drain, Greer CPW is unable to fully treat the medicine at our wastewater treatment plant. The pills are diluted and returned to the stream following the treatment process. This can pose significant risks to future drinking water, said Alison Rauch, Greer CPW Public Information Coordinator.
Community members interested in the drug take back day are asked to combine pills in one Ziploc bag and avoid bringing multiple bottles with personal information on it. Once the pills are collected in Greer, they will be taken to Columbia to be burned at high temperatures.
For those not able to attend, a drop off box is available 24/7 at the Greer Police
Department – 102 South Main Street or at Greer Memorial Hospital.