Safe medication disposal practices remain an imperative component toward preventing prescription drug misuse in our homes and communities.  Current disposal options include following safe practices at home, as well as participating in community drug take-back events.  A recent study evaluated an additional option: permanent prescription drug donation boxes, an option put forth by the Drug Enforcement Agency as part of its “Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010”.  Although many states have installed these permanent disposal boxes in law enforcement offices, a recent study actually evaluated the extent to which highly misused prescription drugs were donated.  In this study, the authors collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to analyze prescription donations at 8 different sites across five counties in northeast Tennessee.  Over the course of two years (2012-2014), these donation boxes collected over 4,800 pounds of medications, with almost 5% of this pharmaceutical waste being controlled substances (prescription opioid pain medications were the most frequently donated controlled substance).  Interestingly, collection sites in communities with fewer than 10,000 residents had a significantly greater controlled substance donation rate than those communities with more than 10,000 residents.  Take Away: Permanent prescription drug donation boxes may serve as an additional, effective method for safe medication disposal.  As a part of prevention efforts, universities and college students may consider partnering with local law enforcement to install these donation boxes in their community.

Citation: Gray J., Hagemeier N., Brooks B., and Alamian A. (2015). Prescription Disposal Practices: A 2-year Ecological Study of Drug Drop Box Donations in Appalachia. American Journal of Public Health 105, e89-94.