The COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we knew it for all of us and presented new and unique challenges particularly for those who struggle with substance misuse. As we return to life as we knew it pre-pandemic, it is also important to keep in mind the preventative measures, including safe disposal of unused prescription medications, that we can take to help protect our friends, families, and loved ones.
On April 30, the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) and our partners will recognize the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to practice prevention efforts and help stop substance misuse and addiction before it starts.
The misuse of prescription opioids often starts in the medicine cabinets of friends and family members. Safely storing and disposing of medications can help end the deadly cycle of addiction, and possibly save lives.
Take Back Day serves as an important reminder: take this time to clean out your medicine cabinets and learn how you can safely return unused prescriptions to secure locations in your community, or safely dispose of unwanted medications at home.
You can participate by…
Visiting the DEA’s Take Back Day Site Locator to find locations you can bring unwanted, expired, or unused prescriptions on April 30.
Finding a drug take back center in your community where you can dispose of medications any time.
Checking out the Safe Use & Disposal tab on raliusa.org for tips on safely storing medications, as well as how to use household materials like coffee grounds or cat litter to safely dispose of unused medications.
RALI also works with community organizations to provide free drug deactivation and disposal pouches.
Thank you for taking simple steps to make a big difference.
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The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) supports programs that help prevent the misuse of prescription medicines so that more lives can be saved from the opioid crisis. We do this by bringing together community leaders and elected officials who are committed to finding effective solutions and sharing ideas that will make a difference across the state.