Prescription Drug Take Back Toolkit

Prescription Drug

ake Back Toolkit

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY & SAFELY HOST A

DRUG TAKE BACK EVENT IN TEXAS

This toolkit is based on the law and policy regarding Take Back Events as of August 2014.

If any new policies are released regulating the procedures for Take Back Events,

Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth will amend the toolkit to reflect those policy changes. As of

September 8, 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicated that they would no longer

host Take Back Events after September 27, 2014. However, in July 2015, DEA Administrator Chuck

Rosenberg announced that the DEA would revive the Take Back program.

Creating Healthier and Safer Communities

How to Successfully and Safely Host a Drug Take Back Event in Texas

Prescription Drug Take Back programs are designed to remove unused, unneeded,

or expired medications from the home and dispose of them safely in order to

prevent poisonings, prevent prescription drug abuse, and protect the environment.

Drug take back events collect medications from individuals and households and

excludes pharmacies, long-term care facilities, or other healthcare providers.

This toolkit provides guidelines and resources to plan, host, and evaluate a local drug

take back event in Texas.

Planning a Take Back Event

Drug take back events can be held in any size community with any level of resources.

This toolkit will detail how to hold a drug take back event in your community.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. Event Partners....................................................................................................1

II. Regulations .........................................................................................................3

III. Choosing an Event Location .......................................................................... 6

IV. Safety Plan ........................................................................................................... 6

V. Event Setup and Logistical Details .................................................................7

VI. Promoting Your Event.. ...................................................................................10

VII. Collecting Data at Your Event ......................................................................11

VIII. Additional Resources..... .................................................................................13

IX. Appendices........................................................................................................13

I. Event Partners

Strong partnerships are essential for a successful take-back event. Partnering with a

law enforcement agency is required. Partnerships with local businesses, schools,

churches, and government agencies are helpful for event planning, volunteer

recruitment, and event promotion.

A. Law Enforcement

A law enforcement ofcer is required at medication take back events. Law

enforcement duties at a take back event can be designated to an agent of the

federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a local police ofcer, a sheriff’s deputy,

or Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) ofcer as long as the take back event is in

their jurisdiction.

The federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has established guidelines for law

enforcement involvement at take back events:

1. An armed law enforcement ofcer must be present at all times and must

maintain custody of the collected medications until the DEA picks up the

medication or the law enforcement ofcer transports the medication to a

DEA-specied drop-off site.

2. Chain of custody must be followed to ensure that medication is properly

disposed of.

The time and effort required from law enforcement is usually minimal because

a coalition or local organization takes primary responsibility for planning and

hosting the event.

If you are seeking law enforcement ofcers for your take back event, contact

your regional DEA agent, your local police department, your local sheriff’s ofce,

or DPS. Identifying the correct division or person within a larger agency can be

challenging. We recommend contacting ofcers involved in community prevention

programs or the narcotics division.

Toolkit Tip:

In one area, take back organizers struggled to get commitment from their

local law enforcement agencies so they contacted their city council to

request involvement. Another option for nding law enforcement ofcers

for your event is to hire off-duty police ofcers. Off-duty police ofcers

usually charge about $30 to $40 per hour depending on location.

Be prepared to give law enforcement ofcers a written plan of the event details.

The plan should include event location, time, role of the law enforcement ofcers,

and roles of all others involved. Law enforcement agencies are more likely to

participate in the event if it is thoroughly planned and their role is clear.

For take-back events that are not part of DEA’s National Take Back Days, the law

enforcement agency involved is responsible for disposing of controlled medications.

Every law enforcement agency has slightly different rules and requirements for

handling and storing medications, but ultimately, the medications need to be

disposed of through incineration that meets air quality standards. Visit the Texas

Commission Environmental Quality (TCEQ) website at https://www.tceq.texas.gov

to learn more about air quality standards in Texas and to ensure that medications

are being disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

B. Additional Partners for Take Back Events:

1. Schools – assist with event promotion; may provide a location for the event,

such as their parking lot, gymnasium, or cafeteria.

2. Local pharmacies – assist with event promotion. Also, pharmacists are needed

at the event if you will be sorting or cataloging the collected medications.

3. Schools of Pharmacies or Health Sciences – source of volunteers for the

event and may potentially assist with sorting and cataloging.

4. Hospitals or Healthcare Facilities – assist with event promotion; may be

helpful with methods for medication disposal if needed.

5. Environmental groups – provide input regarding regulations and

recommendations for safe medication disposal; may help promote and/or

volunteer at the event.

6. Local businesses – assist with event promotion or providing a location; may

be able to donate supplies (such as tables, chairs, yard signs, latex gloves, etc.)

or food and water for your volunteers.

7. Local Government or City Water Utility – assist with event promotion.

8. City Waste Management – assist with understanding local waste disposal

regulations and may offer to host a take back event at their facility.

9. National Guard – Texas National Guard, specically the Texas Joint

Counterdrug Task Force Operation, may provide volunteers and equipment

or supplies if needed.

Providing partners with a clear rationale and plan for your event, as well as details

of any anticipated costs, is helpful for gaining support and donations. Remember

to acknowledge partners by including their logo on your yer and/or event signs,

distributing their promotional materials at the event, and sending them a thank you

letter with a photo to display at their business or ofce.

II. Regulations

A. Proper Disposal of Medication

There are typically three options for disposing of medications collected at a

take back event:

1. When partnering with the DEA, the DEA will assume responsibility

and costs for medication disposal.

2. If a law enforcement agency is hosting a take back event without DEA

involvement, the law enforcement agency must assume all medication disposal

responsibilities and costs. When planning a take back event with local law

enforcement, make sure the agency has an environmentally-sound plan to

dispose of medications. The EPA recommends disposing of collected

medications through approved incinerators because it is the safest disposal

method for the environment and prevents the risk of drug diversion. Agencies

commonly dispose of medications in the same method they use for disposing

of conscated illegal substances, usually through their own incinerator or

through an incineration company.

Toolkit Tip:

Smaller law enforcement agencies that do not have an incinerator may

want to purchase one if they plan to collect medications regularly. Costs

vary for incinerators. To provide one example in Texas, Hood County

Sheriff's Ofce bought an incinerator to dispose of medications from their

medication drop box. Their incinerator, the Drug Terminator, has a 55-gallon

drum barrel and costs $3000 - $4000.

Note that incinerators must have air permits. Event organizers or law

enforcement ofcers should contact the TCEQ to ask about any authorization

needed to ensure they are incinerating medications safely and following Texas

guidelines to protect air quality. Contact TCEQ for questions regarding

environmental regulations and protections, or visit their website at

https://www.tceq.texas.gov.

3. Take back organizers can pay for a company to incinerate collected

medications, but be aware that costs vary. The Medication Cleanout program

based in Amarillo pays about 40 cents per pound of medications and an

additional $350 for transportation. MedReturn is one company that offers

options for medication disposal. You can learn more by going to their

website at http://www.medreturn.com.

Toolkit Tip:

When selecting an incinerator or incineration company, check to see

if liquids and inhalers can be incinerated along with the other collected

medications. Liquids should be left in their original container, not emptied

or mixed together.

B. Notify DEA of Your Event

Drug Enforcement Administration

Prior to hosting a take back event, contact your Regional DEA Ofce. The three

DEA regions that cover Texas are based in Houston, Dallas, and El Paso. If you will

be hosting a take back as part of the DEA National Drug Take back Day, you will

need to provide the DEA with a contact from your organization, a contact from

the law enforcement agency, and a location and address where the event will be

held. The DEA will post a list of all locations for take back events on their website

about a month before the national event. You will also need to connect with your

DEA agent to obtain DEA-provided medication disposal boxes, sharps containers,

and any additional training or information they may require.

If you are not hosting your take back event as part of the DEA National Take

Back Day, you should notify the Regional Special Agent in charge of your area

by sending a letter describing your event. You should include the date, time, and

location of your event; the participating law enforcement ofcer or agency; and

a brief description of your process for collection and disposal. You can nd your

Regional DEA Ofce contact information at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/

ofces_n_dirs/elddiv/.

C. Adhering to Federal and State Regulations

All take back events must adhere to federal, state, and local regulations regarding

controlled substances and medication or waste disposal.

Federal Regulations on Controlled Substances

The Controlled Substances Act requires that controlled substances are possessed

only by the person to whom those medications are prescribed, or by authorized

individuals, which includes law enforcement ofcers. You must take precautions to

prevent drug diversion by informing volunteers of the laws and avoiding crowding

or disruption at your event, and the law enforcement ofcer must ensure no

drug diversion occurs. Drug diversion is a term used by the DEA that refers to

medications being used for purposes other than intended. In other words, drug

diversion is when individuals use drugs that are legal and medically necessary in

ways that are illegal or not medically necessary or recommended.

Federal Environmental Regulations

Medications collected from households at take back events are considered

household waste and are exempt from federal hazardous waste requirements.

However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends incineration

as the best method to dispose of collected medications in order to address

environmental and diversion concerns. According to the EPA, household wastes,

including pharmaceuticals found in homes, are generally considered municipal

solid waste. The management and disposal of municipal solid waste is regulated by

local and state environmental agencies rather than at the federal level. Depending

on state and local requirements, organizers of take back events typically dispose

of the collected pharmaceuticals at permitted municipal solid waste incinerators

or permitted hazardous waste incinerators. In addition, organizers of collection

events should contact the local and state environmental regulatory agency to

ensure that the collected hazardous pharmaceutical wastes are managed in

accordance with all local and state environmental regulations. However, EPA

generally recommends that collected household hazardous wastes be managed

and disposed of as hazardous wastes.

Texas Environmental Regulations

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is governed under Subchapter N:

Household Hazardous Wastes. For medication take back events, HHW disposal

regulations do not apply when less than 100 lbs of HHW is collected in one year.

Take back events could separate HHW from non-HHW to ensure that they

collect less than 100 lbs. of HHW per year, which would exempt them from

notication, reporting, and other requirements governing HHW. Additionally,

events could dispose of the non-HHW in a less-regulated and simpler manner

than the HHW. However, separating the medications in this way is not often

feasible for take back programs. As such, take back organizers leading typical drug

take back events can assume they will not collect more than 100 lbs. of HHW

each year.

Organizers and volunteers should only take the time to separate HHW from

non-HHW when there are enough volunteers and capacity to do so. Volunteers

with expertise in prescription medications can assist with the organization

process, while the remaining volunteers assist with the collection of medications.

Separating medications with limited volunteers could pose a safety risk.

Further guidance is provided on Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s

website at http://www.tceq.texas.gov/p2/hhw/additional-program-guidance.

Organizers are encourage to contact TCEQ with questions or for more direct

assistance regarding their take back event.

III. Choosing an Event Location

A. There are many factors to consider when selecting a location for the

medication take back event:

1. The location should be easily accessible to community members and provide

ample space to set up a table, shade or rain cover, and medication collection

boxes.

2. There should be adequate space for participants to either park and walk

to the collection area or drive through to drop off the medication.

3. A location that is well-known to your community will encourage

participation. Using the same location each year will increase participation.

4. A site that is near or incorporated into a location that receives regular

foot trafc often makes it easier for citizens to participate and is also a way

to advertise the take back on the day of the event.

Toolkit Tip:

Be careful that the location is not too busy or crowded—law enforcement

ofcers need to be able to easily secure and control the site for safety

and to prevent diversion. If your location is in a busy area, be sure your

event is clearly separate from other events, perhaps through ropes or

barricades, or simply ensure ample space between event areas.

B. Examples of sites used for take backs in communities across Texas:

1. Parking lots of a church, mall, retail center, school or university

2. Community parks (pavilion or parking lot)

3. Household hazardous waste disposal facilities

4. School cafeterias or gymnasiums

5. Police departments

6. Fire departments

7. Substance abuse treatment organizations

IV. Safety Plan

Safety for everyone involved is of utmost importance at a take back event.

Take back organizers should develop a safety plan that includes contact

information for all organizers, describes how to handle dangerous materials

should they be returned, and explains procedures for responding to an accidental

needle-stick from needles/sharps being collected.

TxSDY.org

Prior to the take back event, hold a safety brieng for all staff and volunteers.

Remind volunteers about the laws prohibiting drug diversion and advise them

about the necessary precautions to take when handling medications. They should

not open or empty medication bottles and should be careful to avoid needle-sticks

from collected sharps. If collecting medications by hand, volunteers should wear

gloves and ask participants if they are returning any needles.

For take back events that allow cars to drive through, designate a clear path for

cars and areas for volunteers. Volunteers should be easily identiable, perhaps all

wearing the same t-shirt or reective safety vests. Details about how to remain

safe around cars should be addressed before or at the start of the event during

the safety brieng.

V. Event Setup and Logistical Details

A. Supplies

The type and amount of supplies will vary depending on the size of the take

back event. Essential equipment includes:

1. Collection containers

a. Containers should be leak proof and able to be incinerated along with

the medication if needed. (The DEA will provide cardboard collection

boxes if you partner with them on National Drug Take Back Days)

2. Sharps containers

a. Containers need to be puncture resistant, leak proof and preferably

able to be incinerated along with the medication. You can use the

medical waste sharps containers or other containers made of

thick plastic, such as empty bleach bottles

3. Tape to secure boxes for transport

4. Chairs for volunteers and law enforcement ofcers

5. Cover for shade and rain protection, such as a pop-up tent or tarp,

if the location does not have a covered area

6. Table for promotional materials, resources, and/or handouts (if desired)

7. Water for volunteers and law enforcement ofcers

8. Trash bags

9. Sign indicating the take back event location (to hang from the table

or on a nearby wall)

10. Directional signage for event location

11. Disposable gloves to use in case medication needs to be handled

Optional supplies:

• Pens and clipboards to conduct surveys or questionnaires

• Food for volunteers

• Camera to document the event

• Paper sacks to collect medications from car windows if your take

back is a drive-through (and then put the sacks in the collection box)

• A scale for weighing the amount of medication collected

Toolkit Tip:

If you hold your take back event on a DEA National Take Back Day, the

DEA will supply all boxes, plastic bags, and sharps containers for collection.

They will also supply tape to secure the boxes for transport. Verify this

information with your local DEA agent prior to the event date.

A reminder about good signage: Signs will help make your site easily

identiable as a take back location. To ease trafc ow, include signs showing

where participants should enter and exit and where to park, if necessary. You

may want to place your signs up to ¼ or ½ mile away from your site to guide

participants to your location. Signs can be made by hand or printed, just be sure

that signs are large enough to read from the street.

B. Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to set up the event and clean up after the event. Duties

include:

1. Placing directional signs pointing to the event location

2. Setting up tables, chairs, signs and supplies

3. Directing trafc

4. Collecting medications from a car (if the event is a drive-through collection)

5. Answering questions people may have

6. Asking survey questions or distributing/collecting questionnaires (if desired)

7. Sorting and cataloging medications (must be done by volunteer pharmacists

or pharmacy students)

The number of volunteers needed will vary by location, site set-up, and

anticipated level of participation. Each take back event should have at least

two organizers (volunteers or staff) present at all times, along with the law

enforcement ofcer. We recommend having at least four or more organizers

(volunteers or staff) present in order to ensure enough people are available to

help participants and adequately respond to any issues that may arise.

TxSDY.org

Toolkit Tip:

Locations where participants drive-through and hand medications to a

volunteer through their car window will require more volunteers than

locations where participants walk up and drop their medications in the

disposal box. Also, locations that are collecting survey information from

participants will likely need more volunteers in order to administer

the survey.

Recruit volunteers at least two weeks, if not a month or more before, your

event. (See the list of potential community partners in Section I of this toolkit.)

Check with your local DEA agent or law enforcement agency regarding

their age restrictions for volunteers.

C. Site Detail

It is very helpful to visit the site of your take back event a few weeks in advance.

Visit the location at the same time of day and as the same day of the week for

which the event is planned in order to survey the location’s layout, trafc ow

and crowd level, this will assist with planning the design of your take back event.

While onsite:

1. Map out the entrances and exits, parking locations or drive-through routes

2. Plan where you will place tables and collection boxes

3. Choose where you will place directional signs

4. Identify any potential obstacles to hosting the event in this location at

that day and time

Taking pictures of the location is a great way to explain the site detail to partners

or co-workers who could not attend in person.

D. Media at Take Back Events

Take back events are a great way to get media coverage for your organization

and issues related to prescription drug abuse. Local reporters often cover take

back events because they offer good visuals and are a community interest story.

One week before the event:

1. Send a media advisory to local news stations (TV and radio) and local

newspapers. It should include a brief rationale for and description of the

event, location, time, and who will be available for an interview. See Appendix

A for a sample of a media advisory.

2. Designate at least one spokesperson to speak to the media at the event.

Prepare a few talking points to use when interviewed by a reporter.

One day before the event:

1. Call your media contacts to ensure they have received your advisory

and nd out if they plan to attend the event.

2. Finalize and prepare press packet and press release. The press release

should describe your event and include details about why the event

is important, such as rates of prescription drug abuse, poisonings,

environmental concerns, etc. Put your press release in a press packet

folder that also contains information about your organization and has your

contact information. See Appendix B for a press release example.

Day of the event:

1. Be prepared for media coverage by bringing press packets to give to any

reporters who attend your event.

2. Remind reporters to avoid recording any identifying information on the

collected medications.

3. Collect business cards or contact information from the reporters to nd

your news story later.

VI. Promoting Your Event

Advance planning is the key to successful promotion of a take back event. To

advertise your take back event to everyone in the community, it is best to use

multiple avenues, such as social media, radio spots, newspaper ads, and yers

at schools, pharmacies and local businesses. Promotional ideas for your

take back event are listed below:

• Flyers posted in local businesses, schools, and pharmacies

• Stickers placed on prescription packaging or printed inserts/strips of papers

given out with prescriptions

• Social network pages (such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.) for your organization,

law enforcement agency, and other community organizations

• Newsletter from your organization and other community newsletters

• School newsletter and packets sent home from schools for parents

• Printed inserts mailed with water and utility bills

• Paid advertisements on television and in the newspaper

• Take back information posted on online community calendars and the

events webpages of local newspapers

• Newspaper articles and letters to the editor

• Radio interviews or radio public service announcements (PSAs)

• Yard signs around town in the front-yard of homes and lining the street

at the take back location and billboards

• County-wide all call system with a recorded message about the take back

TxSDY.org

• Tear-pads at pharmacies so customers can tear of a sheet with all relevant

information about the take back

• Interviews on local morning or news shows

• Presentations to local chamber of commerce and other community

groups—schedule far in advance

Flyers

Creating a well-designed take back yer will be very helpful in promoting your

event. The DEA provides free templates on their website and you can easily

customize them with your location and organization name. These yers are

great one-pagers that quickly identify the details of a take back event. You can

also design your own yer if you want it to have more local appeal. A simple

image search online for “Drug Take Back Event” or “Got Drugs” will result in

many examples of take back yers. Examples of yers used by Texas take back

organizers are included in Appendix C.

Toolkit Tip:

Pharmacies are often a good connection to help promote the event.

Pharmacies can post yers or pass out information with prescriptions.

When working with large pharmacy chains, remember that you may be

required to contact the regional public affairs ofce to get permission

to promote your event through the pharmacy. Contact your local pharmacy

and speak with the manager in advance of the event in order to get clarication

and allow for ample time to contact the public affairs ofce if needed.

VII. Collecting Data at Your Event

A. Data Collection

All take back events should collect some form of data because this

information can be used to better plan future events and gain additional

support.

1. Count and weigh the boxes of medication collected.

The simplest method to assess your take back event is to count the total

number of boxes of medication collected and measure the total weight of

returned medications. The DEA will tally the number of boxes and calculate

the total weight of boxes collected at National Drug Take Back Day events

and track this information over time. If you plan to weigh your collected

medications, remember to bring a scale to the event.

2. Survey participants

Another fairly simple way to collect data from your take back event is to

survey participants. After participants return their medication, ask them to

complete a short survey—not more than 5 questions. This survey must be

optional and anonymous so as not to discourage participation. Participants

can complete the survey themselves or volunteers can ask the questions

aloud and write their answers on the form. Be sure to bring pens and

clipboards if you plan to conduct a survey.

The questions you include on your survey should help you assess your take

back and plan for future events. You may want to ask participants:

• How they heard about the take back event

• How they normally dispose of medications

• If they would participate in a take back event in the future

It is best to avoid demographic questions to protect participant

condentiality. However, you may want to ask for participants’ zip codes to

help you determine the reach of your event. Example surveys are included

in Appendix D.

3. Count and Catalog Medications

A more advanced way to evaluate your take back is to count and catalog

all or a portion of the medications that are collected. This method requires

a pharmacist (or pharmacy tech or pharmacy student) who can easily

identify medications. The pharmacist or volunteer will want to identify

whether the substance is controlled or non-controlled, the names of the

medications, the quantity that was prescribed, and the quantity that

remains. By documenting the quantity prescribed and the quantity

remaining, you can then assess medication waste.

You may choose to catalog all medications or you may catalog medications

from a small group of cars or small number of participants if that is more

feasible. To track the types and quantities of medications when cataloging,

you can simply write it by hand in a table/chart or you can use software

such as Excel or Access. See Appendix E for a sample cataloging form.

Important: If you would like to count and catalog medications, create a

written plan and present it to the law enforcement ofcer and/or DEA

agent involved in the take back in order to get approval for your process

for sorting controlled substances.

Appendix A:

Sample Media Advisory

Appendix B:

Sample Press Release

Appendix C:

Sample Promotional Flyers

Appendix D:

Sample Drug Take Back Surveys and Results

Appendix E:

Sample Medication Cataloging Tool

VIII. Additional Resources

• CADCA’s Take Back Guide: http://www.preventrxabuse.org

• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Take Back Day website:

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

APPENDICES

Media Advisory

10/22/2013

Contact: Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth

Communications Director: 512-442-7501

Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth Partners with Drug

Enforcement Administration, Texas National Guard, and Travis

County Sheriff’s Office to Take Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs

on October 26

Austin — On Saturday, October 26, 2013, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Texans for Safe and Drug-Free

Youth (TxSDY) is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Texas

National Guard Joint Counter Drug Task Force, and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to

host a Veteran-focused Prescription Drug Take Back Event as part of the DEA’s National

Take Back Day. This take back event is open to everyone but is particularly focused on

raising awareness about the increasing rates of prescription drug abuse among veterans and

military members. Several veterans service providers will be on-site to provide resources

and information.

Other Austin-area take-back locations can be found on the DEA’s website: www.dea.gov

WHEN:

Saturday, October 26, 2013, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Spokespersons available for interview at 10:30 a.m.

• Renada Snodgrass, veteran and VetCorps V

eterans Prevention Coordinator, TxSDY

• Carlee McConnell, Research and Policy Analyst, TxSDY

WHERE:

Austin VA Vet Center Parking Lot, 2015 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78741

WHO:

Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth

Texas National Guard Joint Counter Drug Task Force

Travis County Sheriff’s Ofce

Drug Enforcement Administration

WHAT:

A Medication Take Back Event open to everyone and particularly beneting veterans, military

members, and their families. Everyone is invited to bring their unwanted prescription

medications for free, safe disposal.

WHY:

More Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine,

hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and

Health. Among U.S. military personnel, prescription drug abuse nearly tripled between 2005 and

2008 according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The majority of people who abuse

prescription drugs say they got them from a friend or relative. Drug take back events

help prevent prescription drug abuse by removing unused medications from the home.

Appendix A

Sample media adviSory

Sample preSS releaSe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Austin-area Drug Take Back Events Collect Unwanted Medications

and Raise Awareness of Prescription Drug Abuse

Austin, TX – October 26, 2013– Today, all across the country, individuals are dropping

off unwanted or unused medications at drug take back events from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. as

part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day. Last April,

Texans turned in almost 50,000 pounds of medications at over 350 drug take back sites

across the state.

In Austin, Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth (TxSDY) is partnering with the DEA,

Travis County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas National Guard to host a veteran-focused drug

take back. Prescription drug abuse is increasing nationally, and among military personnel

specifically, the rates of prescription drug abuse nearly tripled from 2005 to 2008. Most

prescription drug abusers say they get the medications from friends or family members.

Therefore, Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth encourages everyone to safely dispose

of their unneeded medications at a drug take back event.

Prescription drug abuse among youth is also a growing concern and has increased

nationally by 33% since 2008. In Texas, about 1 in 5 high school students report ever

taking prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth is the statewide coalition working to create

healthier and safer communities by making alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs irrelevant

in the lives of youth. To combat prescription drug abuse, Texans for Safe and Drug-Free

Youth created a statewide workgroup to collaborate on prescription drug abuse

prevention strategies. Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth is also developing a toolkit

to help other communities of any size and with any level of resources hold effective

take back events.

Contact:

Carlee McConnell, MPH

Research and Policy Analyst

Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth

2211 S IH 35, Ste. 201

Austin, TX 78741

Office: (512) 442-7501

cmcconnell@TxSDY.org

Appendix B

Sample promotional Flyer

Appendix C

Sample promotional Flyer

Appendix C

Drug Take Back Survey

VA Vet Center, October 26, 2013

Please circle your answer(s) for each question.

1. I am a ___________

a. Veteran

b. Military member

c. Military family member

d. None of the above

2. How did you nd out about the Take Back event?

a. Flyer

b. Email

c. Website

d. Word of mouth

e. Yard sign

f. Newspaper

g. TV news

h. Other: _______________________

3. How do you normally get rid of medications?

a. Throw them in the trash

b. Flush them down the toilet

c. I just keep them

d. Other: _______________________

4. Would you participate in a Take Back event again?

a. ❐ Ye s

b. ❐ No

Appendix D

Sample SurveyS and reSultS

Waxahachie Survey Results

Rx Take Back Event

Participants Questionnaire Results

How did you nd out about the Take Back event?

• Newspaper – 58%

• Signs, Banners, Posters – 11%

• Radio – 9%

• School yer – 8%

• TV – 8%

• Water Bill – 5%

• Other* – 22%

How do you normally dispose of medications?

• Hold onto – 33%

• Take Back event – 33%

• Trash – 27%

• Flush – 11%

Would you participate in Take Back event again?

• Yes – 100%

• No – None

*Other consists of: Pharmacy, Work, Internet, Ellis Co., Church, Marquee, Dr. Ofce, Facebook, Friend, Hope Clinic,

Mail and Driving by

Appendix D

Sample SurveyS and reSultS

Medication Cleanout

™

Survey

Script: Hi, my name is _________________. I’m going to collect the items you have

brought today, but rst I need to ask you a few quick questions.

1. Did you bring any sharps (needles, injections, etc.) to us today?

a. ❐ Ye s

b. ❐ No

2. What is your home zip code? (postal code)

3. Have you participated in a Medication Cleanout

event before?

a. ❐ Yes (how many: ___) b. ❐ No

4. Why do you feel it is important to participate in this event?

5. What would you have done with these products if this event had not taken place?

6. Do you have the number to the Poison Control Center:

Somewhere in your home: ❐ Yes ❐ No

Saved in your cell phone: ❐ Yes ❐ No

Note: During the event hand an event bag to EVERY participant.

Surveyor Initials:

Collection Number/Bag Number:

Appendix D

Sample SurveyS and reSultS

Sample medication cataloging tool

Family # of

Different

Meds

CII CIII CIV CV DD OTC Vitamins/

Supplements

Misc.

Appendix E

CV CARES Prescription Drug Take Back

September 26, 2015