Medication

There are several drug take back boxes available in the Chapel Hill area for disposing of medications safely. When depositing unused, unwanted, or expired medications into any take back box, make sure to remove any personal identifying information such as prescription labels.

Many medications can be deposited into the green drug take back box located in front of Student Stores Pharmacy on the third floor of UNC Student Stores. This includes prescription medications such as controlled substances. Over-the-counter medications may also be placed in the take back box, although needles, liquids, and aerosols may NOT be deposited into this take back box.

Needles and other sharps may be brought to the sharps drop-off box located in the front lobby of the Orange County Health Department Clinic at 2501 Homestead Rd. in Chapel Hill. Sharps should be placed in a sealed sharps container or a puncture-proof plastic container (such as a laundry detergent bottle) before dropping them off. The drop-off box at the Orange County Health Department is available Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Several police departments in the area also have drug drop boxes that can accept liquid medications as long as they are placed in a sealed bag. The following police departments have boxes that can be accessed during their normal business hours:

Carrboro Police Department/Carrboro Century Center

919-918-7397

Chapel Hill Police Department

919-968-2760

Hillsborough Police Department

919-732-9381

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

919-245-2900