ENTREPRENEURS, inventors and investors have a lot on their minds, so they might zone-out when they hear that this Saturday, Oct. 24, is America's National Prescription Drug Takeback Day for 2026.
Amid a myriad of other concerns, the minds of bold founders and bleeding-edge technologists may simply glaze-over when they hear that Nashville-based Hospital Corporation of America is simultaneously hosting its "Crush the Crisis" drug takeback day throughout its ecosystem.
Such efforts were further reinforced by this morning's Take-Back press release from the State of Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
National, state and local sources are pointedly reminding us that one of the most frequent triggers for diversion of potentially dangerous drugs toward illicit and-or life-threatening usage is when friends, family, workers and others who visit our homes snatch derelict prescription drugs they discover in our medicine cabinets or bedside tables.
Yes, there are year-round attempts to remind us that take-back drop-points and related services are available year-round in most communities.
Yet, such blips don't seem to stay on our radars very long.
While the statistics regarding the illicit, criminal and often tragic use of diverted drugs are nauseating--and the mounting quantity of drugs "taken-back" each year impressive--data recitation alone seems unlikely to spur many of us to action.
However, "Take-Back" allies are making it as easy as possible for us to act to reduce the risks that we know are cached in our homes and offices.
Here are some Take-Back site lists, maps and related resources to help us act.
- US DEA Take-Back Day with U.S. drop sites by Zipcode.
- HCA's Crush the Crisis site list.
- Metro Nashville Davidson County Drug Disposal sites.
- Shelby County Collection sites.
- Hamilton County Collection sites.
- Knox County Collection sites.
- TN Bureau of Investigation Pill Back sites.
- Tennessee Together Take-Back Day and related resources.
P.S. - Yes, the pills in the Copilot-forged image above carry colors close to Tennessee's favored red and blue, meant as a reminder that all drug problems are local.
This article is a VNC public-service announcement. VNC
.last edited 1148 21 October 2026
