The past year has presented tremendous challenges. As we continue navigating ways to stay safe and healthy amid COVID-19, it is also important to keep in mind and take action to protect our loved ones from the ongoing opioid epidemic.
On April 24, the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) and our partners will participate in the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to practice prevention efforts and stop substance misuse and addiction before it starts.
Many people who become addicted to opioids get their first doses from the medicine cabinets of friends and family members. Safely storing and safely disposing of medications can help end the deadly cycle of addiction, and possibly even save a life.
This Take Back Day serves as an important reminder – not only to take this time to clean out your medicine cabinets, but to learn how you can safely return unused prescriptions to secure locations in your community, or safely dispose of unwanted medications at home.
You have several options to participate:
Visit the Take Back Day Site Locator to find location you can bring unwanted, expired, or unused prescriptions on April 24.
Find a drug take back center in your community where you can dispose of medications any time.
Check 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.
This pandemic has forced isolation for us all, created barriers to treatment and intervention for those who may need it, and added complications to those working hard on their recovery from substance misuse or addiction. Thank you for taking simple steps to make a big difference.