Prescription Drug Take Back

As a full-time partner with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the City of Sevierville Police Department participates in the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Program. The program provides a valuable outlet for the disposal of drugs, so residents do not have to keep unneeded or dangerous drugs in their homes, and our environment is not harmed by the introduction of drugs into the water systems.

Citizens may drop-off expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to the Sevierville Police Department for destruction. The service is free and anonymous. The following drugs are accepted:

• All loose pills and powders.
• No liquids.

The department is unable at this time to accept syringes/sharps or other types of drug paraphernalia.

A Drug Take Back receptacle is located in the police department main lobby; drugs may be deposited any time or day of the week.

Many people are unaware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. According to the DEA, rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away-both potential safety and health hazards. Municipal water systems are not able to properly filter many medications, which sometimes leads to the presence of medications in tap water. Traces of prescription medications have also been detected in streams and other ground water sources.