ODP UPDATES

Created by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2010, National Prescription Drug Take Back Days happen twice a year in April and October to address the public safety issue created by unused or expired prescription medications, which are highly susceptible to misuse and theft. Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to safely and securely dispose of unused, expired, and unwanted prescription medications and help prevent substance misuse and overdose deaths. 

• National Results
• Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,472 agencies
• Total Collection Sites: 4,590
• Total Weight Collected: 620,321 lbs. (310 Tons)
• Idaho Results
• Statewide Law Enforcment Participation: 46 Agencies
• Statewide Collection Sites: 47
• Statewide Weight Collected: 3,812 lbs.

Did you miss the local drug take-back day? Click here to find a permanent prescription drug disposal location near you.

This spring, several Idaho communities hosted successful Take Back events.

In North Idaho, Panhandle Health District partnered with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, Blue Cross, and the North Idaho Alliance of Care (NIAC) to host a drop-off site. A total of 73 vehicles participated, and the team distributed 37 lock boxes and 64 medication disposal pouches. The event was made possible thanks to the support of 10 volunteers and staff.

In Eastern Idaho, Rexburg Police Department teamed up with Eastern Idaho Public Health District and Walmart to host a collection site, where they gathered just over 15 pounds of medications from community members.

In South Eastern Idaho, Southeastern Public Health partnered with two other agencies for their take back day. Bear Lake County Sheriff's Office ended up collecting 39 pounds of medications! Just a few miles south, the Montpelier Police Department joined in as well and collected another 30 pounds. It was really encouraging and great to see the two agencies in the county collect a combined 69 pounds of medications!

On April 29th, Idaho observed National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a reminder of the devastating toll fentanyl continues to take on our communities. Fentanyl is not like any other drug. A small amount can end a life and take away someone near and dear—a friend, a brother, a sister, a son, or a daughter. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in 51% of all overdose deaths in Idaho in 2023. Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. That level of potency makes even a small amount life-threatening.

In observation of 2025's Fentanyl Awareness Day, Governor Brad Little toured the Idaho State Police Forensic Laboratory, which plays a critical role in quickly identifying drugs recovered across the state. Governor Little stated, “We launched Operation Esto Perpetua early in 2022 to take action against fentanyl, and our efforts are clearly working. Fentanyl overdose deaths in Idaho are on the decline. Our investments in law enforcement, public awareness, behavioral health, and corrections are turning the tide. On this National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we remember the victims who lost their lives to fentanyl and the loved ones they left behind. Idaho will continue the fight against this dangerous and deadly drug,” ODP encourages all Idahoans to visit FentanylTakesAll.org to learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones, and to join us in preventing future tragedies.

ACTIVITIES

National Prevention Week (NPW) is a national public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance misuse prevention and positive mental health.

Three ways to get involved:

1. Host a Community Event - During National Prevention Week and year-round, thousands of organizations and individuals across the country host health fairs, block parties, educational assemblies, town hall meetings, memorial walks, social media campaigns, outdoor events, and more. These community events help raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health in a fun and engaging way.
2. Share your #MyPreventionStory - #MyPreventionStory captures the vast array of prevention experiences and stories. We want to grow this online conversation to reinforce why prevention is important and celebrate all that it has to offer! Share your unique perspective by using the #MyPreventionStory hashtag across social media.
3. Use the Planning Toolkit - The National Prevention Week Toolkit can help you host a successful event that connects your community’s efforts to the national observance. The Toolkit has tips on choosing an event topic, hosting logistics, partnership ideas, promotional strategies, and more. Download the Toolkit.

For more ways to get involved in National Prevention Week, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week

The Idaho Conference on Alcohol & Drug Dependency (ICADD) will be held at Boise State University on May 20-21, 2025, with pre-conference workshops on May 19. Registration is open. Learn more about ICADD and register here.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Smart & Sustainable: Social Media Tactics for Prevention Professionals

For many substance misuse prevention professionals, developing and maintaining a social media presence can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with limited time, staff, and competing priorities. This 90-minute webinar will focus on sustainable, realistic strategies for planning and implementing social media efforts that support and align with your prevention goals. You’ll learn how a team approach to content creation, scheduling, and management can create a more impactful and engaging social media experience for your followers. We will cover the basics of social media advertising, analytics, and insights. Join us to build your capacity for using social media effectively to augment your prevention efforts. Learn More

JUNE OBSERVANCES

National Safety Month serves to increase public awareness around safety and health risks and decrease injuries and deaths within homes and workplaces. The National Safety Council recognizes drug overdose as the leading cause of unintentional deaths in the United States. Here are three tools to share with employers to implement or update a drug-free workplace program:

1. Warn Me Label Card - A free NSC Warn Me label reminds you to have a discussion with your medical provider about the risks of prescribed opioids and whether there are safer, effective alternatives.

2. Substance Use Cost Calculator - The National Safety Council has collaborated with an independent research institution, NORC at the University of Chicago, to update "The Real Cost of Substance Use to Employers" tool, originally developed in 2017 with national nonprofit Shatterproof. This cost calculator is an authoritative, easy-to-use tool providing business leaders with specific information about the cost of substance use (including prescription drug use and misuse, alcohol use and misuse, opioid and heroin addiction, as well as use of other illicit drugs and cannabis) in their workplace based on size of employee base, industry and state. 

3. Connect2Prevent - It's a series of interesting, easy-to-follow lessons designed by experts to help you feel more confident talking to your loved ones about drug use. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email lesson once a week for 10 weeks. Each lesson only takes about 5-15 minutes and has videos and links to more information to explore. 

The lessons cover the basics of opioid and how to talk to providers — especially around sports injuries and dental surgeries, when children are most likely to be prescribed opioid pain medications. Each lesson also includes information on what you can do to help your family stay safe and how to spark conversations with your kids.  

What's new with you?

Have an update, story, or other news you'd like to share in a future newsletter?

Send an email to Hannah Timmons at hannah.timmons@odp.idaho.gov