Walgreens is expanding its fight against the opioid epidemic in Arizona.
The company announced it was expanding its safe medication disposal program to 35 Walgreen drugstores in Arizona, including seven locations in Phoenix.
The program allows residents to get rid of their unwanted or unused prescriptions year-round. These medications can be dropped off at kiosks at the select stores at no cost. The company then safely disposes of them.
Walgreens' Safe Medication Disposal Kiosks locations in Phoenix:
• 5101 W. Indian School Road
• 3605 E. Thomas Road
• 4249 W. Glendale Avenue
• 3402 Central Avenue
• 204 E. Bell Road
• 3960 E. Chandler Blvd
• 3450 W. Dunlap Ave.
"Safe medication disposal kiosks make the disposal of medications – including opioids and other controlled substances – easier and more convenient while helping to reduce the misuse of medication and rise in overdose deaths," a release read.
A spokesperson for Walgreens said since the program started in 2016, 270 tons of unwanted or unused prescriptions have been collected and disposed of.
The company, according to a spokesperson, believes the safe medication disposal is preventing these leftover meds from either accidently or intentionally being used, which in turn, is helping to curb overdose deaths.
