Saturday, April 27, is the next Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Staff, patients and community members are encouraged to attend a local event and drop off unused and expired drugs.

Mayo Clinic in Florida is hosting a drop-off site in cooperation with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office:

• Date: April 27
• Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Drop-Off Site: Mayo Clinic, Davis Building, drive-thru entrance off Mayo Blvd.

There will be pharmacists and other healthcare professionals on-site, able to provide more information about drug misuse and abuse.

Medications accepted for safe disposal at take-back locations include:

• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medications
• Ointments, patches, creams, inhalers and vials
• Pet medications
• Nonaerosol medications

Liquid medications must be in the original container. Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices are accepted with the batteries removed. 

"This is an easy but really important way to keep ourselves, our families and our community healthier and safer," says Dr. Tina Ardon, a family medicine physician and chair of the Controlled Substances and Pain Oversight Team at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "Regularly cleaning out your medicine cabinet reduces the likelihood of misuse or poisoning. Properly disposing of unused or expired drugs also lessens the likelihood of environmental harm."

Every Day is Take Back Day

Drop-off events are held around the U.S. every April and October. However, in an extension of their long-running theme, the DEA now shares that "Every Day is Take Back Day," and Mayo is embracing that idea.

"We want to move awareness to the next level," says Dr. Benjamin Lai, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and chair of Mayo Clinic's Opioid Stewardship Program. "Keeping leftover opioids, expired cold medicine and other unused drugs around the house can be dangerous. Why not lessen the chance of harm by safely disposing of these the next time you visit your pharmacy or drive by your local police station?"

There are permanent drop boxes co-located with many Mayo Clinic pharmacies:

Florida

• Davis Building, Main Level

Rochester pharmacies with a co-located drop box

• Mary Brigh, Saint Marys Campus
• Mayo Building, Subway Level

Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin pharmacies with co-located drop boxes

• Barron, 1222 E. Woodland Ave.
• Eau Claire, Clairemont Campus, 733 W. Clairemont Ave.
• Eau Claire, Luther Campus, 1400 Bellinger St.
• Holmen, 1303 Main St. S.
• La Crosse, Skemp Pharmacy, 800 West Ave. S.
• Menomonie, 2321 Stout Road
• Onalaska, 191 Theater Road
• Osseo, 13025 Eighth St.

Many other pharmacies and some other healthcare organizations have a registered, permanent drop box. Law enforcement agencies often have a drop box as well — call your local police department or sheriff's office to find out if they have one.

Visit these sites for more information:

• Arizona combined locator tool
• DEA locator tool — healthcare-hosted drop boxes
• Jacksonville Sheriff's Office prescription drug drop box
• Law enforcement-hosted drop boxes in Minnesota
• Wisconsin combined locator tool

"Please don't ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to take back your unused drugs," reminds Dr. Lai. "Once dispensed, we are prohibited from taking them back. Instead, we will refer you to a nearby drop box or other safe disposal options."

"Remember, 'Every day is take back day' when you have this information in your pocket."

Related Articles