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  Save the Date for April 26 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
The first of two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days this year is April 26, 2025.
DEA is committed to making our communities safer and healthier, and we can do this by reducing overdoses and overdose deaths. While the community does its part to turn in unneeded medications and remove them from potential harm, we are doing our part to further reduce drug-related violence.
Visit www.deatakeback.com to access a collection site locator and resources to promote this important event to your community in early April.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, it is important to note that Every Day is Take Back Day. Across America, there are almost 17,000 year-round drop-off locations where unneeded medications can be disposed.
Grief to Action: Families Shaping the Nation’s Response to Addiction
The public is invited to a special event at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., hosted by the O'Neill Institute at Georgetown Law, the MS in Addiction Policy and Practice program at Georgetown's Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, together with Song for Charlie.
The event is centered on a conversation with family members who have been affected by overdose and substance use disorder. Audience members will hear how the panelists have moved from grief to action in the wake of their loss. These individuals have dedicated their lives to confronting the addiction and mental health crisis impacting families and communities every day.
Panel members include Ed Ternan, who co-founded Song for Charlie with his wife, Mary, after their son Charlie tragically lost his life due to a counterfeit prescription pill. Gina Malagold lost her brother Dylan to a counterfeit prescription pill in July 2020 and now works to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain. After losing his brother, comedian Chris Farley, to addiction, Tom Farley has devoted his life to prevention and recovery.
Registration for the event is linked here.
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. EST (Followed by reception)
Location: Copley Formal Lounge, Georgetown University Main Campus
Opening Remarks: Alexander Sens, Dean, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Georgetown University
Featuring: Tom Farley (B’85), Community Outreach Director, Recovery.com; Gina Malagold (M.S. Addiction Policy & Practice ’22), Director of Multicultural Affairs, Song for Charlie; Ed Ternan, President, Song for Charlie
Moderated by: Regina LaBelle (L’92), Professor, Program Director, Master of Science in Addiction Policy & Practice; Distinguished Scholar, the O’Neill Institute, Georgetown Law
After the discussion, join panel members and other members of the addiction policy field, including current Georgetown students and alumni, for a gathering to connect and explore how we can curb overdose deaths and foster a culture of recovery.
While this is an in-person event, the organizers welcome the opportunity to hear family members share their loved one's story. Both attendees and non-attendees may send pictures and their loved one's name, together with any being taken in at the community level.
Please send your pictures and other information to oneillcomms@georgetown.edu
We’re Growing!
The Together for Families network now includes hundreds of organizations and individuals from across the United States. Please encourage families and community members concerned about substance use to sign up for updates.
Also, if you work with an organization that has a free resource, information or event that you want families to know about, encourage them to join the Together for Families network by e-mailing togetherforfamilies@dea.gov.
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