National Prescription Drug Take Back Day HappeningSaturday, October 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) encourages older New Yorkers and their families to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24. For more than 15 years, this biannual event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired, to prevent drug misuse and abuse.
For more information on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
Disposal of unneeded medications is important for older adults who are more likely to have a higher number of drug prescriptions and, therefore, face a greater risk of adverse drug events. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adverse drug events cause adults 65 years or older to visit emergency departments more than 600,000 times each year – more than twice as often as younger people.
According to the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, individuals age 50 to 64 on average take 13 prescriptions and individuals 80 and older on average take 22 prescriptions.
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “Help keep our communities safe by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Older adults are especially at risk for adverse drug events due to overlapping refills, expired medications, and dosage changes. Safely dispose of any unneeded medications—never flush them. Let’s work together to protect ourselves and those around us.”
“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides the opportunity to rid cabinets and safely dispose of expired or unused prescription medications,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Safe disposal of prescription drugs helps keep our communities, including older New Yorkers, safe and healthy.”
According to the DEA, the majority of people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help prevent the following situations: not taking medication as intended or dosed; taking someone else’s prescription; or taking the medicine for euphoric effects rather than medicinal purposes.
For information on New York’s drug takeback program, visit https://medtakebacknewyork.
Since 2022, NYSOFA and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) partnered to distribute 100,000 Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal Pouches to aging services providers for distribution and delivery to older adults. Deterra Pouches are designed to destroy unwanted or expired medications safely and permanently, making them unavailable for misuse and accidental ingestion.
Agencies, community groups or not-for-profit organizations interested in Deterra pouches for distribution can use NYSOFA’s online request form. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for organizations that have an established role serving older adults.
Prescription Drug Take Back Resources
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) encourages older New Yorkers and their families to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24. For more than 15 years, this biannual event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired, to prevent drug misuse and abuse.
For more information on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
Disposal of unneeded medications is important for older adults who are more likely to have a higher number of drug prescriptions and, therefore, face a greater risk of adverse drug events. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adverse drug events cause adults 65 years or older to visit emergency departments more than 600,000 times each year – more than twice as often as younger people.
According to the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, individuals age 50 to 64 on average take 13 prescriptions and individuals 80 and older on average take 22 prescriptions.
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “Help keep our communities safe by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Older adults are especially at risk for adverse drug events due to overlapping refills, expired medications, and dosage changes. Safely dispose of any unneeded medications—never flush them. Let’s work together to protect ourselves and those around us.”
“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides the opportunity to rid cabinets and safely dispose of expired or unused prescription medications,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Safe disposal of prescription drugs helps keep our communities, including older New Yorkers, safe and healthy.”
According to the DEA, the majority of people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help prevent the following situations: not taking medication as intended or dosed; taking someone else’s prescription; or taking the medicine for euphoric effects rather than medicinal purposes.
For information on New York’s drug takeback program, visit https://medtakebacknewyork.
Since 2022, NYSOFA and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) partnered to distribute 100,000 Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal Pouches to aging services providers for distribution and delivery to older adults. Deterra Pouches are designed to destroy unwanted or expired medications safely and permanently, making them unavailable for misuse and accidental ingestion.
Agencies, community groups or not-for-profit organizations interested in Deterra pouches for distribution can use NYSOFA’s online request form. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for organizations that have an established role serving older adults.
Prescription Drug Take Back Resources
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