Safely dispose of unwanted medications on Saturdays on Prescription Medication Recovery Day

Getting rid of leftover prescriptions helps prevent abuse

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters will have the chance this Saturday, October 29 to easily and safely dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications at 55 locations across the state.

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held each spring and fall, to encourage Vermonters to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of leftover medications responsibly by bringing them to a community drop-off site.

Safe disposal helps prevent the risk of misuse of painkillers – nearly half of people who have abused pain prescriptions got them from a relative or friend. It reduces the risk to children and pets who might accidentally ingest them. And it helps us avoid endangering waterways and wildlife, which can happen when you dump medicine or throw it in the trash.

During Take Back Day this spring, Vermont law enforcement collected more than 6,950 books. (3.5 tons) of drugs. Since Vermont began participating in 2010, the state has collected more than 96,450 pounds of unused medication.

Vermont residents can find the nearest community disposal site by visiting dea.gov/takebackday.

“Disposing of your leftover medications is a small step that can have a big impact,” Governor Phil Scott said. “Prescription Drug Take Away Day continues to be an important part of our prevention strategy as we confront the opioid epidemic.”

Take Back Day is hosted in partnership with the Department of Health, local and state law enforcement, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Collected drugs are safely gathered in one place, briefly stored, then transported out of state by the DEA and incinerated.

In addition to Take Back Day sites, Vermonters can dispose of prescription drugs year-round at their local pharmacies or police stations and can order a free drug return envelope.

Vermonters are encouraged to take basic steps to ensure medications are used as intended and disposed of safely when no longer needed:

LOCK ─ Keep your medications in a locked box or locked medicine cabinet.

DROP ─ Drop off unused medication at a kiosk at your local pharmacy or police station.

MAIL ─ You can also mail unused medication in a prepaid envelope. Request a free medication return envelope

For more information on how to safely store and dispose of prescriptions, visit healthvermont.gov/doyourpart.

Governor. Montpellier www.vermont.gov