Health departments and drug disposal sites around the country will join the Drug Enforcement Agency on Saturday, October 28th from 10am-2pm to hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
This day provides a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs, while educating about the potential for abuse and medications.
This date will serve as one of two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days for the year. Typically, one is held in the fall and another in the spring. Stay tuned for dates and times throughout the year – the last event took place on Saturday, April 29, when Vermonters brought back 5,553 pounds of prescription drugs.
What you can do
Here are three steps you can take to ensure the safe use, storage, and disposal of prescription drugs:
- Safe Use – Only take medication prescribed to you by a doctor. Only use it in the prescribed dosage. And never share prescription drugs with friends or family.
- Safe Storage – Store prescription medication locked and out of reach of kids, family, and guests. Know where it is at all times. Keep it in its original bottle with its label.
- Safe Disposal – Most prescription drugs should NOT be flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink. In Vermont, there disposal site. Local prescription drug take-back programs provide a safe way to dispose of medications. Proper disposal helps avoid harming water sources, wildlife, pets, and people.
Year-round options
In Vermont, most drug drop-off sites are year-round. You don’t have to wait for the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! Many pharmacies and law enforcement facilities – like sheriff’s offices or police stations – have prescription drug disposal boxes or kiosks installed in their lobbies or other areas open to the community. Some law enforcement facilities may also have uniformed staff at their facilities trained to handle and process prescription drugs handed to them from members of the community for disposal.
View a map of drop-off sites across Vermont.
