MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Officials with the MTSU Campus Pharmacy collected nearly 68 pounds of unwanted drugs dropped off by the public and campus community Thursday (Oct. 22) near the pharmacy’s drive-thru on the east side of campus.

More than 44 pounds of prescription medications, 19.4 pounds of over-the-counter drugs and 4.3 pounds of controlled substances were taken in by the MTSU pharmacy and Campus Police during the event to coincide with National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days held every spring and fall. The MTSU spring event was canceled because of COVID-19.

Expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines were accepted during the 5½ -hour-long MTSU collection drive. Lisa Schrader, Health Promotion director, said 67.7 pounds was collected altogether.

On-site staff, supported by second-year student Shanna Messex from the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy, observed COVID-19 safety precautions (social distancing and wearing masks) to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

“It was a successful event overall,” MTSU pharmacist Tabby Ragland said. “Once again, we had a number of different things dropped off.”

For the second time, people could drop off vape and electronic or e-cigarette items at the MTSU site.

Schrader will announce the spring 2021 drug take-back day in early April. For more information, call 615-494-8704.

A study sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration revealed more than 54% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.

October 2020 marks the 19th National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative.