JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, on Oct. 26, 2024, reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health. The public is encouraged to remove unneeded medications from their homes to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
Joint Base San Antonio medical facilities comply with this and have dedicated blue bin receptacles available throughout the area, including Brooke Army Medical Center.
"Fortunately for personnel in and around the 502nd Air Base Wing, four MedSafe disposal containers are available for daily use," said Lt. Col. Brooke Van Eeghen, 59th Medical Wing Pharmacy flight commander. "These blue, mailbox-like receptacles are maintained by the 59th Medical Wing pharmacies at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Gateway Bulverde Clinic, Reid Clinic and the Satellite Pharmacy."
The Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in April 2024 yielded significant results. According to the DEA website, 670,136 pounds (335 tons) of unused medications were collected during the event. This latest collection brings the total weight of medications gathered since the program's inception to 18,570,487 pounds (9,285 tons).
According to the health.mil website, prescription pain drugs are the second-most commonly abused category of drugs in the U.S. These drugs are dangerous, addictive, deadly and often abused after being obtained from a friend or relative. Nearly one-third of suicide attempts among veterans involve prescription medication.
These safes are for non-sharp items but often become a general medicine take-back location on base. The JBSA facilities are limited in what items should go into the safes. Accepted items include liquids under five millimeters, tablets, and capsules.
For more information on medicine take-back, please visit https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Pharmacy-Operations/Drug-Take-Back-Program?type=Infographics#RefFeed.