Westfield Health Bulletin: Prescription Drug Take Back Days save lives (2025)

Drugs are often portrayed as being obtained from shady dealers in dangerous locations at all hours of the night. However the reality is most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family, friends and acquaintances. Since its origination in 2010, 9,600 tons of drugs have been collected at National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is held twice a year. The next one is scheduled for April 26, 2025. Prescription medications in the wrong hands can be deadly.

More than 100,000 Americans die annually of drug poisoning or overdose. Take Back Day is a “safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions drugs.”

The last collection grossed 314 tons of medications. Drugs can be turned in anonymously — no questions asked.

This program was initiated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in response to the drug overdose epidemic. The goal is to remove unused medications from homes to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting. This ultimately will help reduce overdoses and overdose deaths.

Overdose risk doubles for youth with family members on opioids. If you are on short term or long term use of narcotics, keep track of your medications. Count your pills. You could unintentionally put your family at risk. People tend to focus on keeping pills out of reach of toddlers. It is just as important to prevent access to teens and young adults. It is best to lock up any controlled substances.

Proper disposal of medications protects poisoning of humans and pets. It deters misuse by teenagers and adults. It also prevents accidentally taking the wrong medicine or too much of the same medicine. It protects the environment by keeping medications from entering streams, rivers and ground water.

Fish near wastewater treatment plants have been found to contain human medications.

These medications have affected the fish and other aquatic life. Studies found male fish with female traits from hormones and reproduction problems in shellfish from anti-depressants.

Take Back Day is the best way to dispose of your unused medications. Prepaid drug mail back envelopes are also available from the DEA. Permanent kiosks and other drop off sites are located at police departments, health departments, pharmacies, hospitals and some businesses.

Other options for disposal include removing medication from original container, mix it with coffee grounds, kitty litter, dirt or other unappealing substance in a sealed bag and place in the trash. The FDA has a flush list for medications that are particularly dangerous with just one dose for children or pets. Check this list before flushing.

Collection Site Locator for Take Back Days is available at https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Simply enter your zip code. Other locations per the DEA site search for 01085 include: Russell Police Department, Southampton Police Department, West Springfield Police Department, Easthampton Police Department, Agawam Police Department, Holyoke Police Department and South Hadley Police Department. New sites are added frequently.

For more information on disposing of unused medications and other great resources, visit:

• www.dea.gov
• www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com
• www.justthinktwice.com
• www.compusdrugprevention.gov
• EPA: go.usa.gov/xNwXc
• FDA: go.usa.gov/xNw9z
• www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-environmental-protection
• mass.gov

Locally, the Westfield Police Department and the Council on Aging are hosting the Take Back Day event at the Senior Center. They ask that you enter via Murphy Circle. Items accepted are prescription and over the counter medications including pills, patches, ointments, liquids, vitamins, samples and pet medications. Vape pens and cigarette devices will be accepted with the batteries removed. Please remove any identifying personal information. No syringes, IV solutions, illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines can be dropped off.

In preparation for April 26, gather all medications to be disposed of, label with clear signage that indicates disposal and take them to the Senior Center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A big thank you to Det. Todd Edwards, the Westfield Police Department, Tina Gorman, Council on Aging and the Senior Center staff for organizing, working this event and saving lives.

Take care of yourself and someone else.

Juanita Carnes is a nurse practitioner with 39 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Board of Health in Westfield, Massachusetts.