Here is additional information on the issues motivating take-back programs, as well as some resources that may be helpful as you consider establishing solutions in your community.

Guide to Starting a Drug Take-Back Program or Event

• Video Guide to Establishing a Take-Back Program. Provided by Ed Gottlieb

Take-Back Primers and Resources

• Holding an Unwanted Medication Collection for Community Pharmacies: A Quick Guide - Written by Lynn Rubinstein
• Drug Take Back Toolkit for Law Enforcement (Arkansas State Drug Director’s Office)
• Medication Disposal Day Guidelines (Cardinal Health Foundation)
• CalRecycle’s Guide to a Model Pharmaceutical and Disposal Program
• CalRecycle’s Evaluation of Home-Generated Pharmaceutical Programs in California or see their PowerPoint presentation on the study
• Best Management Practices for Holding Unwanted Medication Collections: A Legal & Safe Approach for Community Pharmacies – Written by Lynn Rubinstein
• Avalere Health: Safe Disposal of Unused Controlled Substances: Current Challenges and Opportunities for Reform
• Teleosis Institute Green Pharmacy Program
• Community Medical Foundation for Patient Safety: National Unused & Expired Medicines Registry
• Oregon Drug Take Back Stakeholder Group: Final Report

Case Studies

• Report on San Francisco Bay Area's Safe Medicine Disposal Days
• Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant: Pharmaceutical Take-Back Case Studies – Models of Success
• Washington PH:ARM Program: Disposal of Medications from Residential Consumers

Background on Drug Abuse and Poisoning Issues

• Office of National Drug Control Policy. Executive Office of the President. Teens and Prescription Drugs: An Analysis of Recent Trends on the Emerging Drug Threat. February 2007.
• Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA. Office of Applied Studies. Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Unintentional Poisoning Deaths. February 9, 2007.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS): Teens in Grades 7 through 12, 2005. May 16, 2006.
• The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.Under the Counter: The Diversion and Abuse of Controlled Prescription Drugs in the U.S. July 2005.

Background on Environmental Issues

• The World Health Organization, Pharmaceuticals in Drinking-water. June 2011.
• The Medicine Chest Teacher Curriculum: >Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program
• U.S. EPA. 2009. Drug Disposal: Ramifications for the Environment and Human Health.
• Christian Daughton and Ilene Ruhoy. Origins and Fate of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment. 2007.
• Knowledge and Need Assessment on Pharmaceutical Products in Environmental Waters (KNAPPE)

Resources from Federal Agencies

• White House Office of National Drug Control Policy: Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs
• DEA Diversion Control Program: General Questions and Answers
• EPA: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
• EPA: Information on Wastes
• United States Postal Service: Domestic Mail Manual Standards on Mailing Drugs
• FDA: How to Dispose of Unused Medicine

Resources for Dealing with Addiction

• Mental Health Treatment. A mental health directory with resources for identifying and addressing addiction and finding help.
• Teen Rehab. This resource provides a directory of facilities with a focus specifically on adolescent-appropriate options.

Guide to Starting a Drug Take-Back Program or Event Video Guide to Establishing a Take-Back Program. Provided by Ed Gottlieb.

Operation Medicine Cabinet::
Read How We Got Our Start & What We Have Learned. For more information please visit their website.

Texas Medication Cleanout:

Read How We Got Our Start & What We Have Learned by clicking here

Waste Inventory Spreadsheet

Click here for an explanation of how to use it and here for an outline of individual roles and responsibilities for staff at a take-back event. Thank you to Ed Gottlieb for developing these resources. Please contact Ed Gottlieb with any questions.