VA Medication Take Back Day

Members of the public can now dispose of expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, at six of North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System’s (NF/SGVHS) VA Take Back Day events on Saturday, October 29th from 10am to 2pm.

VA is aligning with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), welcoming Veterans and non-Veterans to its health facilities across the nation for the purpose of safe and secure drug disposal on designated dates during the year. Any member of the public is welcome, whether or not they have any affiliation to Veterans or VA.

“We are pleased to welcome all members of our community to our facilities for our first-ever public VA Take Back Day. I encourage people to dispose of old and unused prescriptions in this safe and secure manner,” said Wende Dottor, Interim Executive Health System Director. “It’s important for each of us to clean out our medicine cabinets regularly and to dispose of medications to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our environment.”

On October 29th from 10am- 2pm drive thru drop off will be available at Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville) and Lake City VA Medical Center (Lake City).  Jacksonville VA Clinic (Jefferson St.), The Villages VA Clinic, Sergeant Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas VA Clinic (Tallahassee), and Ocala VA Clinic clinics will have MedSafe receptacles located inside the clinic for safe disposal. 

This action is the result of legislation signed into law by President Biden on July 29, 2021. The Dispose Unused Medications and Prescription (DUMP) Opioids Act requires VA to establish designated time periods when Veterans and non-Veterans can dispose of opioids and other controlled substance medications at covered VA facilities. A covered facility is a VA medical facility with an onsite pharmacy and/or a physical location dedicated for law enforcement purposes.

Civilians who can’t participate in VA Take Back Days can use DEA’s Public Disposal Locations Search Tool to find year-round collection sites. DEA holds twice yearly Take Back Days, on the last Saturday in the months of April and October.

Veterans enrolled for VA care can bring their expired and unused medications to their VA site of care for disposal any time by contacting their local VA Police Service or VA Pharmacy.

For more information related to the events, visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/events/50323/

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