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.

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 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) http://www.knappe-eu.org/index.php?m=1

Take-Back Primers, Case Studies, and Reports

• Avalere Health: Safe Disposal of Unused Controlled Substances: Current Challenges and Opportunities for Reform
• 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
• Oregon Drug Take Back Stakeholder Group: Final Report
• Teleosis Institute: http://www.teleosis.org/gpp-program.php.
• Community Medical Foundation for Patient Safety: National Unused & Expired Medicines Registry

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

Indiana-Illinois Sea Grant Program Toolkits Assist Communities

One of more than 30 Sea Grant Programs in the U.S., the Indiana-Illinois Sea Grant (IISG) is focused on the southern Lake Michigan region. This 104 mile shoreline is home to one-third of the population of the Great Lakes area.