By REV. ADDIE BANKS & CHEVON RUCKER
MEMBERS OF THE WEPA Prevention Coalition work to curb addiction in The Bronx in an undated photo.
Photo courtesy of WEPA
In homes across The Bronx, prescription medications often sit quietly in medicine cabinets and on nightstands, unused, expired, and easily accessible. While they may seem harmless, public health experts warn that these medications can become a dangerous pathway to misuse, especially among young people.
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Bronx residents will have an opportunity to take action during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to safely dispose of unused and expired prescription medications. The goal is simple: remove access before it turns into risk.
This is a crisis that continues to impact The Bronx and the urgency behind Take Back Day is grounded in data that reflects the stark reality facing the borough. According to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH), there were 2,192 overdose deaths across the City in 2024, with The Bronx leading in overdose death rates at 60.1 deaths per 100,000 residents.
According to the data, overdose deaths are a leading cause of premature death, underscoring the need for continued prevention efforts. While overdose deaths are often associated with illicit drug use, the pathway to misuse frequently begins much closer to home. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 42.3% of people who misuse prescription pain relievers get them from a friend or relative. This means that many individuals first access medications from household medicine cabinets, often without anyone realizing the risk.
Recent data shows that substance use behaviors are already present among our City’s youth, reinforcing the importance of early prevention. According to DOH, 17% of NYC public high school students reported drinking alcohol, and 13% reported using cannabis in the past 30 days. These findings highlight the importance of early prevention and awareness among youth and families.
For community leaders, the message is clear: prevention must begin before misuse starts. “Prevention is not just about responding to a crisis, it’s about getting ahead of it,” said Rev. Addie Banks, CEO of the Groundswell Group and Bronx-based executive director of the WEPA (We Engage in Prevention Awareness) Prevention Coalition. “When we remove unused medications from our homes, we are removing opportunities for misuse. This is about protecting our children, our families, and our future.”
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day offers a simple but powerful opportunity for residents to take action. Residents are encouraged to bring unused or expired prescription medications to authorized drop-off locations, remove personal information from medication labels, and dispose of medications safely and anonymously with no questions asked. Accepted items include pills, capsules, and patches.
They are also encouraged to practice year-round safe disposal at home. WEPA provides safe disposal “Deterra” bags to pharmacies, health centers, and at local tabling events. These easy-to-use bags allow individuals to safely deactivate unused or expired medications at home by simply placing the medication inside, adding warm water, and sealing the pouch. The contents are rendered harmless and can then be disposed of in the household trash.
By making safe disposal simple and accessible, Deterra bags help prevent misuse, reduce the risk of overdose, and protect our youth and families.
In The Bronx, WEPA continues to lead prevention efforts through its “Keep Our Kids Safe” campaign, which focuses on expanding access to permanent medication drop boxes, distributing medication lock boxes and disposal kits (Deterra bags), and educating youth and families about the risks of substance misuse.
These efforts aim to reduce access, increase awareness, and create safer environments across Bronx communities. Residents can find a nearby drop-off location by visiting the DEA website: takebackday.dea.gov.
As the Bronx continues to address the challenges of substance misuse, National Take Back Day serves as a reminder that prevention is a shared responsibility. Clean it out, lock it up, and drop it off because the path to prevention doesn’t begin on the streets, it begins at home.
WEPA is a Bronx-based coalition dedicated to reducing substance misuse and strengthening community health through education, prevention programs, and environmental strategies. WEPA works closely with schools, families, and local partners to build safer, healthier neighborhoods. Visit www.wepa-bronx.org for more information or follow @jubilantwepa on Instagram.