Project Overview
The Prescription Take Back Boxes project is focused on organizations and any pharmacy, hospital or long term care facility interested in installing a permanent drug disposal box onsite.
The Collaborative, a Green Peak Alliance member, facilitated the installation of the first prescription drug take back box in a Vermont hospital. In July 2017 a box was bolted in Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s lobby. Since then, close to 2,000 pounds of unwanted medications have been collected from that one box. A how-to video was made in response to inquiries from across the country on how to install, secure, and maintain a prescription take back box in a hospital or pharmacy setting.
The Black River Area Community Coalition partnered with the Ludlow Police Department and used funding from the Okemo Community Challenge Grant to purchase a permanent Prescription Take Back Box in Ludlow. Through conversations with the Ludlow Ambulance we were able to have a box installed adjacent to the take back box for sharps (syringes). We also partnered with Ludlow Pharmacy to add a second collection box in their store.
Since the beginning of the project, prescription drug take back boxes have also been installed at Bellows Falls and Rockingham Police, Chester Police, Hartford Police, Ludlow Police, Royalton Police, Springfield Police, Windsor Police, Gifford Health Care, Greater Falls Pharmacy Inc., Green Mountain Pharmacy, Ludlow Pharmacy, Springfield.
Partners
Green Peak Alliance Partners: The Collaborative, Black River Area Community Coalition, Greater Falls Coalition, Mount Ascutney Prevention Partnership
Community Organizations: Bellows Falls and Rockingham Police, Chester Police, Hartford Police, Ludlow Police, Royalton Police, Springfield Police, Windsor Police, Gifford Health Care, Greater Falls Pharmacy Inc., Green Mountain Pharmacy, Ludlow Pharmacy, Springfield; Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, GNAT-TV
Timelines
2017-Present
Outcomes
A how-to video was made in response to inquiries from across the country on how to install, secure, and maintain a prescription take back box in a hospital or pharmacy setting.
Project Resources
How-To Video on Installing & Maintaining a Prescription Take Back Box
Safe Use, Storage & Disposal Prescription Drug Drop Box, Southern Vermont Medical Center’s how-to video on installing and maintaining a prescription take back box.