The Pharmacy Post

Help Stop Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in America. It’s one of the most common ways drugs are abused—people have leftover unused medication just sitting in their bathroom and cabinets ready for the taking. That’s why the DEA sponsors the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, this year on Saturday, April 30th, where people can easily find local spot to safely and conveniently dispose of prescription drugs. 

As a pharmacist, there’s a number of things you can do to help the problem and join in on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The most valuable thing you can do is tell your customers about it and have a list of local disposal sites near your pharmacy they can use. Printing out flyers with local sites to hand to customers this week can make it quick and easy to provide the information. There are also posters you can print out and hang in your pharmacy to help spread the word, which you can find right here https://www.dea.gov/content/partnership-toolbox

Another thing you can do is speak to your customers personally about prescription drug abuse and the importance of keeping commonly abused drugs safe and disposed of properly. There are also year round drop off DEA authorized collection sites you can share with your customers if they aren’t able to participate in this year’s Drug Take Back Day. You can find more information including local drop off sites here https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/