All VA Medical Centers are required to participate in the DEA National Public Medication Take-Back events which are held in April and October of every year. The Dispose Unused Medications and Prescription (DUMP) Opioids Act directs facilities to participate. Our facility has a Medication Take-Back receptacle permanently installed in the front lobby. That is open year-round for Veterans to dispose of their medications. During the DEA National Public Medication Take-Back event, the VA allows anyone from the general public to enter the facility and dispose of their unused medications.
A VA police officer monitors the receptacle as people drop their medications inside. That officer ensures the security of the receptacle and facility property. The officer also ensures prohibited items, such as sharps, containers holding more than 4 oz. of liquid, as well as other items are not placed in the receptacle.
A sharps container and a trash can are placed nearby so people can safely dispose of items which cannot be placed in the receptacle. The officer occasionally checks the weight of the receptacle liner to ensure it doesn’t exceed 50 lbs. The officer has additional liners nearby so they can be changed out so the public can continue to dispose of medications during the event. Officers follow the SOP for the event and follow the process for removing, securing and shipping the filled liners to Sharps Inc. Officers track the number of participants and the weight of medications collected during the event.
This event provides the public a safe method for disposing of unneeded prescription medication that could end up in the hands of children or others who haven’t been prescribed them. This helps eliminate the availability of those prescription medications in the home to prevent overdose and addiction.
