Drug Take Back Day public event will take place Saturday at VCU – VCU News

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2023. Disposing of unused or unwanted medications at events like Drug Take Back Day this Saturday at The Compass can help prevent medication abuse, opioid use disorder and opioid overdose. (Getty Images)

By Mary Kate Brogan
School of Pharmacy

The event will take place on Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Compass (199 N. Linden St.) – an outdoor plaza in the center of VCU's Monroe Park Campus near the Shafer Dining Center and James Branch Cabell Library. This event aligns with the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Students in the new BS program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharm.D. the VCU. Students from VCU's American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists will be in attendance to educate the community on the importance of proper medication disposal and how to dispose of medications at home. Students will share information about substance use disorders and lead demonstrations on the use of naloxone, an emergency medication used to reverse an opioid overdose.

In addition to educating people, the aim of this event is to offer people a safe place to dispose of medication. People are also encouraged to bring any e-cigarettes or e-cigarettes they wish to dispose of.

Metered on-street parking and metered parking at VCU's West Main Street Parking Deck are available for community members.