Sen. Crapo Highlights the Importance of Safe Disposal Efforts on Take Back Day and Year-Round
October 21, 2021
Boise, ID- The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) today announced a donation of 1000 safe drug disposal kits to DrugFree Idaho, Inc. to support its work in combatting the opioid crisis and efforts around National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
RALI, an organization dedicated to educating and providing resources to help prevent the misuse of prescription medicines, partnered with DrugFree Idaho, Inc. to bring these important resources to Idaho families and help educate Idahoans about safe disposal methods that will help protect communities across the state.
The safe disposal of unused, expired, or unnecessary prescription medicines is a critical step and one of the best strategies for addressing substance misuse. DrugFree Idaho reports that “70% of youth who misuse prescription drugs get them from family and friends.” This National Take Back Day, Idaho residents can drop off unused, expired, or unnecessary prescription medicines at DrugFree Idaho’s new location at Expo Idaho Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 23rd from 10am-2pm.
“Idaho has been proactive in fighting opioid and substance abuse at the state-level,” said Senator Mike Crapo. “Primary prevention initiatives like the Prescription Drug Take Back Program have lessened the abuse of prescription medication by reducing access to unused or expired medications. I commend Idaho state and local leaders for working to actively promote available resources to keep loved ones and our communities safe.”
“We have been hosting Medication Take Back Day events here in Boise since 2010 and will continue to provide this opportunity to educate the community about the importance of disposing of unused, unwanted, or expired medications to prevent misuse by others,” said Rob Stevenson, Executive Director of DrugFree Idaho. “This is just one simple thing we all can do to reduce access to others, particularly youth.”
“The prevention of prescription drug use and misuse starts with all of us doing our part and safely disposing of unused and expired medicines within our homes,” said General Barrye L. Price, Ph.D, President and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), a RALI partner. “At-home drug disposal kits, National Take Back Days, and year-round safe disposal efforts will make a big difference. We look forward to working with RALI, DrugFree Idaho, and other local partners to continue the fight.”
Learn more about DrugFree Idaho, Inc., CADCA and about safe disposal and additional ways to address the opioid epidemic at raliusa.org.
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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.