Proper medication disposal helps keep communities safe

Most people who misuse prescription drugs report getting them from family, friends, and acquaintances. Proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications that are expired, unwanted, or no longer needed helps to keep our communities safer. 

For the past two decades, the DEA has promoted National Drug Take Back Day events each spring and fall as a safe, convenient, and anonymous way for community members to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. 

On October 29, 2022, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. will hold Drug Take Back events in their communities. This free and anonymous service provides an easy way to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

If you are unable to attend a take-back event in your community, visit https://www.healthyacadia.org/spr-srxdsd for more safe drug disposal options, including prescription drug drop box locations in your community. For information about recovery resources, including recovery coaching, harm reduction tools, and accessing medication-assisted treatment, visit https://www.healthyacadia.org/need-help. 

Unused or expired prescription medications can be risky to keep around. By disposing of them safely, we help to protect our homes, our families, our community, and our environment. 

You can make a difference by keeping track of the medicine you have, by rethinking where and how you keep your medications in your home, and by safely disposing of any unused medications.  Click here to read more about ways to secure your meds and safely dispose of them at home.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our communities safe!