Observances

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (April & October each year) aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. You can search the DEA website by zip code for a collection site near you.

Every Day is Take Back Day

• If you missed DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, you can still take advantage of year-round drop-off locations
• Clean out your medicine cabinets and help prevent drug misuse before it starts.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts 14,675 people died last year of prescription opioid poisoning or overdose.
• You can drop off your old, unneeded, or unused medications at one of the more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses, working to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

https://app.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdisposearch/spring/main?execution-e1sl

International Overdose Awareness Day (August)

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed each year on August 31. Together we can prevent overdose. Together we can care for those in need. Together we can grow our communities of recovery. Use the resources below for help.

• Alabama 24/7 Helpline - 844-307-1760
• National Helpline - 800-662-4357

Talk About Your Medicines Month (October)

Remember the 3 R's for safe medicine use - risk, respect, and responsibility. For more information about this national observance and to read about understanding prescription assistance programs and tips on safe storage of your prescription medicines, visit Educate Before You Medicate. Also, check out the "Hey Charlie" video and additional information on the Resources for Public page.

Drug-Free Work Week (October)

Drug-Free Work Week is a dedicated time each year to highlight the benefits that drug-free workplace programs bring to employers, workers, and communities. And, it's a time to work toward making every week a drug-free work week!

It spreads the word that working drug-free works to:

• Prevent accidents and make workplaces safer
• Improve productivity and reduce costs
• Encourage people with alcohol and drug problems to seek help

To get Drug-Free Work Week resources or learn more about how your organization can participate, visit the campaign home at the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance.