DEA National Pharmaceutical
Take-Back Day
Saturday
April 28, 2012

Experts agree: Take-back programs are the first choice.

Law enforcement, public health, and environmental professionals stand united in support of take-back programs, such as the DEA’s take-back event on Saturday, April 28, as the safest and most responsible way to dispose of old and leftover medicines to protect your family and to protect our waters. 


Some communities, pharmacies, and law enforcement are paying for ongoing take-back programs to help you properly dispose of old medicines in your homes. For more info see TakeBackYourMeds.org/what-you-can-do/locations 

Although needed, events like this aren’t a permanent solution. The DEA’s National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day is a great one-time opportunity, but it provides only a band-aid solution to an ongoing need. Year-round programs are required to ensure families in Washington have ongoing access to safe disposal of leftover and expired medicines.
  
As they do in other countries, it’s time for drug manufacturers to take responsibility here in the U.S. Drug manufacturers are in a unique position to take responsibility and pay for take-back programs as a cost of doing business, just as they already do in other countries, instead of relying on already cash-strapped taxpayers and local budgets.  For a couple of pennies per prescription or bottle of cold pills, drug companies could finance and provide a safe ongoing medicine take-back system for our state.

From sheriffs to local governments to childrens' advocates and more, the Take Back Your Meds Coalition is a large and diverse group of over 270 organizations that advocates for the creation of take back programs and supports passage of the legislation.   Learn more at TakeBackYourMeds.org/about 

What if I miss this event, what I can do? Visit TakeBackYourMeds.org/what-you-can-do/locations to find a temporary medicine take-back location. Be sure to store your medicines in a locked drawer, cabinet or medicine lock box. Learn more...