Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

At MHS pharmacies, every day is ‘Drug Take Back Day’

Image of Photo of empty pill bottles. Bottles of emptied prescription drugs lie in a box during the Drug Take Back event hosted at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (Photo by: Marine Corps Installations East).

While April 24 has officially been designated National Drug Take Back Day by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), pharmacists across the Military Health System in recent years have been stressing that every day is a drug take back day.

That's because MHS pharmacies are outfitted with MedSafe medication disposal boxes, which can accept all pills, along with properly sealed powders, liquid medications and lotions, and dermal patches. MHS pharmacies also provide mail-in envelopes for medications.

"The bins are right there when you walk into the pharmacy," said U.S. Public Health Service Cmdr. Thien Nguyen, a pharmacist with the Market Management Branch of Pharmacy Operations for the Defense Health Agency. "We wanted to make sure that our beneficiaries knew that any time they were able to get through their medicine cabinets and put in their expired medications, or medications they don’t use anymore, they can bring it in to us any day."

And though National Drug Take Back Day continues to be an effective means of getting an important message out for law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, the MHS has not officially participated in the program since 2016, Nguyen said. The reason? She said MHS pharmacists never want to tell service members or beneficiaries to hang on to a box of prescription drugs and wait for a designated day.

"They can just drop it right off," she said. "Especially if it's a situation where a beneficiary feels like maybe someone in their household has the potential for misuse or abuse, and they want to make sure they get that medication out of the house as soon as possible. They can do it that very same day, to make it as efficient as possible."

Still, the advertising of National Drug Take Back Day and its usual designated hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is an effective reminder for civilian and military populations to take a good look not just in one's medicine cabinet, but in kitchen drawers and bedroom dressers, or even car glove compartments - anyplace that forgotten prescriptions might be hiding - and turn them in safely.

Slogans such as "Don't be the Dealer," and disturbing images such as a small child handling a bottle of dangerous pain killers have a way of reminding the public to take action sooner rather than later.

Unintended pings

There’s another important reason to take a close look at the fine print on medication labels that have been around for a while. Not only can others get ahold of dangerous substances, but there’s a chance that a medication might be used improperly by the very person it was prescribed to in the first place. For active-duty service members, this danger is especially acute.

According to a Department of Defense instruction  issued in June 2020 relating to technical procedures for the military’s drug abuse testing program, “prescriptions for substances included on Schedules II through V of Section 812 of Title 21, United States Code, will be considered expired 6 months after the most recent date of filling, as indicated on the prescription label.”

Said Nguyen: “Outside of that time frame, if the service member pings positive for a drug, they can’t say, ‘It’s because I have this prescription.’ Because if that prescription is older than six months, they’re going to know that doesn’t count — it’s no longer allowed.”

Nguyen noted the new DOD instruction was necessary because until then there had not been a sufficient, explicitly written policy addressing such a scenario.

Meanwhile, national results of the October 19, 2020, National Take Back Day were impressive. As they do every six months or so, thousands of law enforcement agencies took part, establishing 4,587 collection sites that culled nearly 493 tons of prescription drugs, the DEA reported. (Many of those police collection sites are permanent, too.)

National Drug Take Back Day “addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue,” the DEA states on its drug take back web site. “According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.”

At MHS facilities alone, Nguyen said that from January 2016 to December 2020, the DOD collected roughly 510,000 pounds of drugs for disposal through its collection receptacles and mail-back envelopes.

Details on the MHS’ Drug Take Back Program can be found here.

You also may be interested in...

SAAPM Be There

Infographic
4/8/2022
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

It takes courage for anyone to report a sexual assault. Be there to help someone and you can make a real difference. www.Safehelpline.org, 877-995-5247 #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #TreatmentCanHelp #StepForward

Anyone Can Experience Sexual Assault

Infographic
4/8/2022
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

All members of the military community deserve to work and live in a respectful, inclusive environment while serving our nation. Anyone can experience sexual assault or hazing that crosses the line. It takes courage for anyone to report sexual assault. Learn more at the DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office Men’s SAPR Campaign site: https://www.sapr.mil/mens-sapr-campaign #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #TreatmentCanHelp #StepForward

SAAPM Main

Infographic
4/8/2022
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This month, members of the military community are encouraged to enact the 2022 SAAPM theme: STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate. This is a call to action for individuals at all levels of the DOD to use their personal strength to advance positive change in preventing and reporting sexual violence. We ask that you join us in taking a #StepForward by highlighting acts that bolster prevention, increase reporting, and promote advocacy for a safer DOD community. #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #TreatmentCanHelp #StepForward https://www.sapr.mil/

SAAPM Logo

Infographic
4/8/2022
SAPRO Step Forward logo

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

SAAPM: Safe Helpline

Infographic
4/8/2022
April Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month _Hotline

If you have experienced sexual assault, help is available. Contact the DOD Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247 to receive anonymous and confidential support and obtain information on your reporting options. #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #StepForward https://safehelpline.org/

SAAPM month puts spotlight on importance of prevention

Article Around MHS
4/7/2022
SAAPM Infographic

 As the Army once again recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, its policy and processes for working through sexual harassment and sexual assault within its workforce are evolving to reflect lessons learned during the past 10 years

Support for victims of sexual violence, trauma continues year round

Article
5/13/2021
Military personnel for a teal ribbon on a flight deck

Resources and support for survivors of sexual assault and military trauma.

Sexual assault awareness and prevention a DHA, DOD priority

Article
4/16/2021
Infographic about Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

Sexual assault awareness and prevention is at the top of the Department of Defense’s priorities.

A Month of Prevention and Intervention for a Lifetime

Article
4/14/2021
Military personnel wearing a face mask writing messages with chalk on the ground

In April, the Department of Defense focuses on ‘Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission’ For Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Public health remains an integral part in the fight against COVID

Article
4/9/2021
Infographic featuring health personnel wearing face shields and mask with "National Public Health Week" across the top of the picture

The pandemic has highlighted a need to provide more advanced training on infection prevention and control.

Be proactive in looking for early signs of testicular cancer

Article
4/9/2021
Military health personnel giving and examination

While the diagnosis of cancer can be frightening, testicular cancer can usually be cured.

Occupational Therapy Month highlights pros who give everyday help

Article
4/6/2021
Military health personnel wearing face mask attending occupational therapy

April is Occupational Therapy Month, a chance to highlight a profession that helps people to accomplish the everyday tasks they need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities.

BAMC Women's History Month honors women past and present

Article
3/31/2021
Three military personnel, wearing masks, standing on a stage and holding an award

Women will always play a critical role within our military.

WRNMMC’s kidney transplant program ranked as 5-star

Article
3/31/2021
Military medical personnel in an operating room, wearing full PPE

The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland has the best organ transplant outcomes in the greater District, Maryland and Virginia region.

April 2021 Toolkit

Publication
3/30/2021

April is Month of the Military Child. The strength, resilience, and readiness of our service members rely on the support of their families. This month we “celebrate the mighty” to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of military kids to their families and the military community.

SAAPM Be There

Infographic
4/8/2022
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

It takes courage for anyone to report a sexual assault. Be there to help someone and you can make a real difference. www.Safehelpline.org, 877-995-5247 #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #TreatmentCanHelp #StepForward

Anyone Can Experience Sexual Assault

Infographic
4/8/2022
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

All members of the military community deserve to work and live in a respectful, inclusive environment while serving our nation. Anyone can experience sexual assault or hazing that crosses the line. It takes courage for anyone to report sexual assault. Learn more at the DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office Men’s SAPR Campaign site: https://www.sapr.mil/mens-sapr-campaign #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #TreatmentCanHelp #StepForward

SAAPM Main

Infographic
4/8/2022
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This month, members of the military community are encouraged to enact the 2022 SAAPM theme: STEP FORWARD. Prevent. Report. Advocate. This is a call to action for individuals at all levels of the DOD to use their personal strength to advance positive change in preventing and reporting sexual violence. We ask that you join us in taking a #StepForward by highlighting acts that bolster prevention, increase reporting, and promote advocacy for a safer DOD community. #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #TreatmentCanHelp #StepForward https://www.sapr.mil/

SAAPM Logo

Infographic
4/8/2022
SAPRO Step Forward logo

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

SAAPM: Safe Helpline

Infographic
4/8/2022
April Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month _Hotline

If you have experienced sexual assault, help is available. Contact the DOD Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247 to receive anonymous and confidential support and obtain information on your reporting options. #SAAPM #SexualAssault #PreventAssault #StepForward https://safehelpline.org/

SAAPM month puts spotlight on importance of prevention

Article Around MHS
4/7/2022
SAAPM Infographic

 As the Army once again recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, its policy and processes for working through sexual harassment and sexual assault within its workforce are evolving to reflect lessons learned during the past 10 years

Support for victims of sexual violence, trauma continues year round

Article
5/13/2021
Military personnel for a teal ribbon on a flight deck

Resources and support for survivors of sexual assault and military trauma.

Sexual assault awareness and prevention a DHA, DOD priority

Article
4/16/2021
Infographic about Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

Sexual assault awareness and prevention is at the top of the Department of Defense’s priorities.

A Month of Prevention and Intervention for a Lifetime

Article
4/14/2021
Military personnel wearing a face mask writing messages with chalk on the ground

In April, the Department of Defense focuses on ‘Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission’ For Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Public health remains an integral part in the fight against COVID

Article
4/9/2021
Infographic featuring health personnel wearing face shields and mask with "National Public Health Week" across the top of the picture

The pandemic has highlighted a need to provide more advanced training on infection prevention and control.

Be proactive in looking for early signs of testicular cancer

Article
4/9/2021
Military health personnel giving and examination

While the diagnosis of cancer can be frightening, testicular cancer can usually be cured.

Occupational Therapy Month highlights pros who give everyday help

Article
4/6/2021
Military health personnel wearing face mask attending occupational therapy

April is Occupational Therapy Month, a chance to highlight a profession that helps people to accomplish the everyday tasks they need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities.

BAMC Women's History Month honors women past and present

Article
3/31/2021
Three military personnel, wearing masks, standing on a stage and holding an award

Women will always play a critical role within our military.

WRNMMC’s kidney transplant program ranked as 5-star

Article
3/31/2021
Military medical personnel in an operating room, wearing full PPE

The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland has the best organ transplant outcomes in the greater District, Maryland and Virginia region.

April 2021 Toolkit

Publication
3/30/2021

April is Month of the Military Child. The strength, resilience, and readiness of our service members rely on the support of their families. This month we “celebrate the mighty” to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of military kids to their families and the military community.

Page 3 of 3 , showing items 31 - 45
First < 1 2 3 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 29, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery