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Cultivating Healthy Communities: UVA Health Hosts 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
UVA Health organizers of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27, 2024 are excited to report that this year, all four medical centers — from Charlottesville to Northern Virginia — took part in the event to provide community members with a free, anonymous, and responsible way to dispose of leftover prescription drugs, syringes, and needles (no questions asked!).
The event also supported a UVA Health strategic plan goal of cultivating healthy communities through an initiative of community engagement, and more.
In Charlottesville, team members and volunteers staffed a tent for four hours outside the Education Resource Center and at curbside — collecting 163 pounds of unused prescription medication from community members who drove up in their vehicles. That's a 63 percent increase from 100 pounds collected during the 2023 event. And for the first time, sharp instruments in containers also were collected: two-and-a-half, extra large trash receptacles full.
“It was inspiring to see the community’s commitment to the medical and environmental safe disposal of medications and sharps," says Robert Goldstein, MD, UVA Health Pain Management Center (pictured, right and in top image).
The event — initially submitted to, and a winner in, the UVA Health SPARK Innovation Competition — was sponsored by UVA Health Pharmacy, UVA Health Department of Anesthesiology Pain Management Center, UVA Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship (OPMOS), and UVA Police Department.
Collection can deter accidental human and animal poisonings, prescription drug abuse, and environmental damage. It also can keep drug-resistant bacteria from becoming even stronger.
‘Actively Shaping Health and Safety’
Jasdev Singh, UVA School of Medicine Class of 2027 (pictured left, on left), learned of the opportunity to volunteer at the event, through his work with OPMOS.
“I’ve personally witnessed the challenges that patients with intractable pain can face, and the risks associated with opioid use. By helping out with community outreach events like this and working with OPMOS, I hope to advance a more responsible, informed, and equitable approach to pain management in our local community and beyond.”
"Health extends far beyond the confines of a hospital," says Rena Cohen-Kurzrock, MHA, Interim UVA Health Ambulatory Supply Chain Supervisor and Administrative Fellow, Office of the CEO of University Medical Center (pictured above, fourth from left). "Participating in this event isn't just about disposing unused medications — it's about actively shaping the health and safety of our community. Every pill dropped off is a step toward a healthier community. I'm really proud that each year, this team comes together and thinks of different ways we can have greater impact!"
One UVA Health
Participation in National Drug Take Back Day also supported our strategic plan initiative of One UVA Health — as UVA Community Health also held three events. Team members and volunteers collected 29.2 pounds at Culpeper Medical Center (pictured above and below), including 275 bottles of medications and prescription narcotics.
"It was rainy and windy but the turnout was still great!" describes Rozlyn Giddens, Manager, Community Engagement, UVA Community Health. "The impact is significant! We demonstrated community collaboration and partnership to keep our community safe and remove theft and misuse of medicines in an effort to reduce the drug overdose epidemic in the United States. Caregivers and/or family members of deceased individuals also say this gives them a way to discard safely their loved ones' unused prescription medications."
Team members and volunteers at Prince William Medical Center collected 167 pounds — while at Haymarket Medical Center, the tally came in at 232 pounds.
Year-Round Collection
UVA Health also collects unused prescription medications year-round at eight locations — no questions asked:
At the year-round locations — illegal drugs, and medical waste such as syringes and needles, are not accepted.
For more information, contact Dr. Goldstein or Justin Vesser, Director, Ambulatory Pharmacy.
