National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, April 28
Dispose of unused drugs safely to help prevent misuse, accidents and theft.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs. At the same time, it hopes to educate Americans about the potential for abuse of medications.
Why should you participate in Drug Take Back Day?
The misuse of and addiction to opioids – including prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl – is a serious national crisis. It affects public health, our social well-being and the U.S. economy. Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Just as alarming, 70% of people who misuse opioids get them by borrowing, stealing or buying them from friends and family. More than half of U.S. citizens admit to keeping leftover opioid medications at home, often in easy-to-access places.
Leftover or unused medications, including opioids and others, should be disposed of as soon as possible. That’s why the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is partnering with local law enforcement agencies across the country to host Drug Take Back Day – which is designed to educate the public about medication safety, storage and disposal. Participants can turn in unused or expired prescription medications. Last October, the event collected 456 tons of unwanted medicines.
ERS, OptumRx and UnitedHealthcare join the DEA in asking Americans to clean out medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers and bedside tables. Your actions could help reduce medication-related accidents, thefts and misuse. Unwanted, expired or unused medications can unintentionally lead to addiction. Drug Take Back Day events are a safe, anonymous way to help prevent substance abuse, while raising awareness of the opioid addiction epidemic.
How can you participate?
This year’s event takes place across the country on Saturday, April 28. Locations where you can drop off unused drugs are being finalized. Search by city or ZIP code to find a location near you. The website also has other helpful information and links, including how to dispose of unused drugs at home at any time of the year.
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