South College hosts Medication Take-Back event with KCSO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2025
South College will partner with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) to host a Medication Take-Back event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the institution’s Parkside campus, located at 400 Goody’s Lane.
South College’s School of Legal Studies and School of Pharmacy are participating in the event, which provides a safe, confidential and convenient opportunity for the public to properly dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications.
“We want to get unwanted medications off the streets to reduce the risk associated with prescription drug misuse and protect our environment from harmful disposal practices like flushing or throwing medicines away,” KCSO Capt. Pete Steele said.
Participants can anonymously discard any household prescriptions at the event, including narcotics and over-the-counter medications. This includes liquids, ointments, lotions, drops, pet medications, syringes, medical sharps and expired Narcan/Naloxone.
“We have a strong partnership with local law enforcement through our criminal justice education programs,” South College Knoxville President Neil Heatherly said. “We are also always looking to be of service to the community, and this is one way we can help prevent improper disposal of medications that can lead to serious public health and environmental hazards.”
The Metro Drug Coalition is participating in the take-back event, offering education and resources for safe storage of medications.
Members of the public can also take advantage of free shredding services to protect themselves from potential fraud. A division of Junk Bee Gone, Paper Bee Gone is donating shredding services at the event, offering individuals the opportunity to drop off up to two banker boxes each for shredding.
South College offers Legal Studies at multiple levels, including an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice. Students in the AS program explore professional issues, topics and trends in law enforcement, including victim advocacy and corrections with a focus on real-world applications. Students can complete the course of study through a hybrid online modality.
South College Knoxville also offers the only accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program in Tennessee that is designed to optimize lab and classroom time and allow students to complete a PharmD in three years instead of the traditional four-year time frame.
South College offers multiple academic programs, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via 10 physical campuses as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE).
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 18,000 students and is proud of its more than 20,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and Competency-Based Education (CBE). South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.