Among the reasons to safely dispose of unused prescriptions or OTC medications: 51% of misused prescription pain relievers are given by, bought from or taken from a friend or relative; every 10 minutes, a child goes to an emergency room for medication poisoning.

Nov. 9. Novant Health has installed medication take-back containers in its hospital lobbies, including at Huntersville, as part of its sustainability goals and initiatives. Anyone in the community may use the containers free of charge to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription and/or over-the-counter medications.

Syringes, sharps, needles and other biohazard materials are not accepted at drop boxes for safety reasons.

The area locations for the containers:

—Huntersville Medical Center, 10030 Gilead Road, Huntersville

—Presbyterian Medical Center, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte

—Matthews Medical Center, 1500 Matthews Township Parkway, Matthews

—Mint Hill Medical Center, 8201 Healthcare Loop, Charlotte