Medication Safety

Medication Disposal

MDC is a collaborative member of The East Tennessee Regional Medication Collection Task Force. This task force hosts bi-annual take back events where law enforcement and other volunteers are present to ensure medications are properly disposed. Disposing of medication properly eliminates the risk of your medications being stolen and abused. MDC also provides locks to encourage safely securing your medications for those in need.

Medication Disposal

Medication LockBoxes

What we accept for disposal

Prescription medications (unwanted, expired, unused)
Antibiotics/steroids
Cold and flu medications
Vitamins/herbal supplements
Pet medications
Medication Samples
Medicated ointments/lotions

find a drop box location

What we do NOT accept for disposal

Business waste
Unused/used needles and other sharps (epinephrine, unused pricking devices etc.)
Aerosols

contact Choice Health Network

*Choice Health Network can assist with disposing any unwanted sharps

Regional Medication Collection Task Force Members

Knoxville Police Department
City of Knoxville Recycles
Knox County Solid Waste
UT College of Pharmacy
Kroger

South College School of Pharmacy
KUB
Hallsdale-Powell Utility District
Food City
South Knoxville Alliance

Ingles
Walgreens
CAC AmeriCorps
KAMA

Medication Lock Boxes

More than 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms each year because they got into medicines while their caregiver wasn’t looking. Every day in the United States, an average of 2,000 teenagers use prescription drugs without a doctor’s guidance for the first time.

Safeguard medicine in your home and take extra precautions with: Pain Pills, Anxiety Medicine, Insulin Syringes, Anti-Depressants, Sleeping Pills, ADHD Medicine, and other strong medicine.

Lock Box Request Form

Lock boxes are provided to Knox County, Tennessee residents and organizations free of charge. Boxes are available in limited quantities, and we do not guarantee your request will be met, however we do our best to provide lock boxes to organizations and individuals in need. Please complete this form to submit your lock box request.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ*
I have read and understand the information below.
Lock boxes are only available to residents of Knox County, TN. Funding for lock boxes is limited and paid for by a primary prevention grant. Due to this, distribution of lock boxes will be prioritized for the following: (1) Homes where children live or frequently visit; (2) Youth-serving programs (schools, daycares, after-school programs, etc.); (3) Older adults, especially those that are prescribed narcotics and have caregivers and/or frequent visitors. (4) Individuals that have recently had medication stolen. (5) Non-profit organizations will be prioritized over for-profit organizations.

IF YOU ARE FILLING THIS FORM OUT ON BEHALF OF A RESIDENTIAL, HOUSING, OR TREATMENT PROGRAM: Due to limited funding for lock boxes, residential/housing/treatment programs are now required to reuse lock boxes rather than letting individuals keep the boxes when they discharge. Each box comes with hardware for permanent installation and contains two keys unique to that box. If an individual that is discharging from your program needs a lock box and cannot afford one, please have them contact us.

This project is paid for by a grant from the State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Name*
First Last
Phone*
Email*
Type of Request*
- Individual
- Non-Profit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
Organization Name
Number of Boxes Requested*
Please enter a number from 1 to 30.
Please check all that apply to you or your organization (if none apply, leave blank):
- I have a home (or organization) where children live or frequently visit.
- My organization serves youth (school, daycare, after-school program, etc.).
- I am an older adult (or an organization that serves older adults).
- I have recently had my medication stolen.