Prescription Drug Drop-Box

The Prescription Drug Drop-Box Initiative began as a result of a need to rid our community of excess prescription drugs for vulnerable populations. In the 2020 Regional Needs Assessment for Gregg County, it is reported that the “illicit use of prescription drugs remains one of the top three prevention priority areas for the nation and state of Texas.”

Additionally, in the 2018 Regional Needs Assessment for Gregg County, students in our region 7th-12th grade have the highest reported current 30-day use, lifetime use, and school year use of opioids in the state of Texas. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports young adults (ages 18-25) are the biggest abusers of prescription opioid pain relievers, ADHD stimulants and anti-anxiety drugs. Through proper disposal of unused medications in the prescription drug drop-boxes, our community is reducing access and availability of medications that could potentially be misused.

Total Disposal Amount as of September 2021

Since the installation of the Longview Police Department Prescription Drug Drop-Box in 2015 and the White Oak Police Department Prescription Drug Drop-Box in 2016, 5,384.82 pounds of prescription drugs have been destroyed.

How to Dispose of Medications

Community members can dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused prescription drugs or opioids 24 hours a day/7 days a week through the Prescription Drug Drop-Boxes located at the Longview Police Department (302 W. Cotton St.) and the White Oak Police Department (103 E. Old Hwy. 80 in White Oak.)

Approved Disposal Items

No sharps, syringes or liquids are to be put into the Prescription Drug Drop-Boxes. Citizens can dispose of used syringes at the downtown Longview Fire Department, located at 100 E. Cotton St, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the lobby. Limit of 10 syringes per person/month.

Highlights/Milestones

Since the installation of the Longview Police Department Prescription Drug Drop-Box, nearly 1,000 pounds have been destroyed of each year.

In partnership with the Longview Police Department, the Coalition for Drug-Free Youth held several Prescription Drug Take-Back Events where community members brought their leftover prescription drugs to the Longview Police Department to safely dispose of their medications. Through this initiative, 200 pounds of prescription medication were destroyed.

In March of 2019, a Sharps Syringe Disposal Box was installed at the downtown Longview Fire Department to rid the community of leftover syringes in their household. Community members are encouraged to utilize this disposal system anytime between Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the lobby, located at 100 E. Cotton St.