Saturday, April 25th, 2026, is the next Drug Take Back Day, an opportunity for community members to safely dispose of unnecessary or unused medications. This event is essential to preventing medication misuse in our communities. During the October 2025 Drug Take Back Day, 3670 pounds of medication were collected across Rhode Island. Maria Bucci (East Greenwich Prevention Coalition), Madeline Marlow (East Providence Prevention Coalition), Bethanie Rado (East Providence Prevention Coalition), and Charles Swenson (East Providence Police Department) are leaders in their community’s Drug Take Back Day efforts and successes.
Could you please start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your role in prevention as the East Greenwich Prevention Director?
My name is Maria Bucci, and I am the Director of Prevention and Support Services for the Town of East Greenwich. The coalition came together in January, 2025 to unite the community and includes diverse partners such as schools, law enforcement, health care providers, faith organizations, businesses, our elderly population, parents, and youth. As Director, my goal is to increase awareness on the importance of prevention for all ages and highlight the role of the East Greenwich Coalition is supporting the community.
What role does Drug Take Back Day play in your prevention programming? Why is collecting unused medication important to your community?
Drug Take Back Day is an important community initiative that East Greenwich takes very seriously. Having medications disposed of properly helps reduce accidental poisoning and overdose. A significant portion of people who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from a friend or family member’s medicine cabinet. Removing unused medications from homes reduces the opportunity for theft and/or misuse by others.
How has the East Greenwich Prevention Coalition engaged police departments, pharmacies, and other organizations in previous Drug Take Back Days? What collaborations have you developed for the event this year?
East Greenwich is fortunate to have our local police and fire departments support National Drug Take Back Day twice a year by manning the stations between 10 am and 2 pm to collect unused and unwanted medications and hand out resource information for those who may be struggling. The week prior to Take Back Day, an illuminated sign is posted on a main road just outside of the police station reminding residents of their availability during the event. We are also fortunate that residents utilize the drop-off box year-round. Our local news outlet, EG News, also supports the event by posting an article the week prior to National Take Back Day about its importance and event hours.
Can you talk a bit more about your collaborations with dispensaries and other organizations to distribute Medication Lock Bags? Why are these products important?
In partnering with the Kent County Prevention Coalition, we have distributed over 100 Prescription Lock bags through our police department, town hall, library, and at all town events we participate in. It’s a really nice feeling when you get feedback such as: “What a great idea” or “Thank you for having these available!”. We have found that our elderly population utilizes them just as much as young families, whether it is for prescription drugs or cannabis products.
How can folks get involved in helping to support the prevention work in East Greenwich? What advice do you have for people looking to start working or volunteering in prevention?
The East Greenwich Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is always in need of volunteers, no matter their age. We always appreciate volunteers who can help us man our table for events or proudly help carry our EG Prevention Coalition banner during town parades. A volunteer that truly believes in our mission is the soul of our coalition. The energy and commitment they bring remind us every day that prevention IS important, and with their help, we can grow our coalition capacity and increase community impact. You can reach me at 401-234-9473 or Katelyn Valliere, our Prevention Coordinator, at 401-886-8600.
Could you please start by introducing yourselves and sharing a bit about your roles in prevention through the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC)?
My name is Madeline Marlow, and I serve as the Director for the East Providence Prevention Coalition, or EPPC. Our coalition focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing youth substance use through a combination of evidence-based programming, youth leadership and empowerment, environmental strategies, and strong community partnerships. In my role, I oversee the implementation of initiatives across the city, including school-based programs like LifeSkills Training, community awareness campaigns, and policy and environmental strategies such as compliance checks and Drug Take Back Day. A big part of our work is bringing partners together, from schools to law enforcement to local businesses, to create a comprehensive approach to prevention.
My name is Bethanie Rado, and I am the Youth and Media Relations Coordinator for EPPC. I also work on other grants that help sustain our coalition. Within my role, I advocate for and implement a multitude of strategies and programs ranging from substance use disorder to mental health to suicidality prevention to overall wellness. Our work encompasses promoting a healthy lifestyle and good decision-making for our East Providence residents of all ages.
What role does Drug Take Back Day play in your prevention programming? Why is collecting unused medication important to your community?
Drug Take Back Day is a critical component of our health and wellness efforts by addressing access to unused and expired medications, which is one of the most common ways youth obtain prescription drugs for misuse. By providing a safe, convenient way for residents to dispose of medications, we’re reducing the availability of these substances in homes. It’s also important from an environmental and safety perspective as we want to prevent medications from being flushed or thrown in the trash, which can harm pets, wildlife, and our water systems. In addition, these events create an opportunity to engage the community in conversations about safe storage, prescription drug misuse prevention, and overall health and safety. They also help build trust and visibility for the EPPC’s work.
How has the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC) engaged police departments, pharmacies, and other organizations in previous Drug Take Back Days? What collaborations have you developed for the event this year?
Our Drug Take Back Day efforts are truly a collaborative initiative. We work closely with the East Providence Police Department, who play a key role in coordination with the DEA, collection, and safe disposal, and has been a consistent and dedicated partner year after year. We also partner with our East Providence Youth Council (EPYC), who play an important role in peer-to-peer engagement. Additional key partners include the East Providence HEZ, the East Bay Regional Coalition (who support marketing and outreach efforts through state funding), our recovery partners at the East Bay Recovery Center, and our media partners to amplify the importance of Drug Take Back Day and medication safety in general.
During the October 2025 event, we provided resource kits including medication lock bags, Deterra disposal pouches, naloxone, fun swag, and information about local services. This year, we are expanding our efforts and following up Drug Take Back Day with May Day on May 1st, a citywide initiative focused on naloxone and lock bag distribution, trainings, counseling, and promoting Know & Go Stations for 24/7 free and anonymous naloxone access. We will also create space for connection and support, offering grief support, recovery meetings, and sessions for individuals and families impacted by substance use. Together, initiatives like Drug Take Back Day and May Day represent a comprehensive approach to prevention by reducing access to harmful substances, increasing access to life-saving tools, and strengthening community awareness and support.
Can you talk a bit more about your collaborations with dispensaries and other organizations to distribute Medication Lock Bags? Why are these products important?
In addition to medication disposal, we focus heavily on medication safety in general, including safe storage. While we don’t currently have dispensaries in East Providence, we work closely with our community partners to distribute medication lock bags and Deterra disposal pouches.
These resources are available year-round, free of charge, at multiple locations across the city, including East Providence City Hall, the East Providence Senior Center, the police station, all four fire stations, and all three library branches. Lock bags are a simple but highly effective tool to prevent unauthorized access, especially among youth and pets. Research shows that many individuals who misuse prescription medications get them from a friend or family member’s home, so ensuring medications are secured can significantly reduce that risk.
How can folks get involved in helping to support the prevention work in East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC)? What advice do you have for people looking to start working or volunteering in prevention?
There are many ways for people to get involved in prevention work in East Providence. Community members can volunteer at events like Drug Take Back Day, join the coalition, support youth initiatives, or help spread awareness about safe storage and disposal. A big part of our role at EPPC is building community readiness and helping residents recognize the important role they play in prevention. Everyone has a responsibility – whether it’s safely storing medications, having conversations with youth, or simply staying informed. For those interested in working or volunteering in prevention (and community health and wellness in general), our advice is to start locally. Prevention is rooted in relationships and community engagement. The more we empower individuals to take part in promoting healthy lifestyles, the stronger and more resilient our community becomes.
Could you please start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about the collaboration between the East Providence Police Department (EPPD) and the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC)?
I am Community Affairs Officer Charles Swenson. I am a part of the community policing unit for the City of East Providence Police Department. I have been a member of this department for about 4 years now. I am a second-generation officer with this department, so you could say it runs in the family. I love speaking and being amongst the community of East Providence. This community really cherishes and respects its police department, and it generally feels great coming into work each day.
Our department works closely with the East Providence Prevention Coalition to promote public safety, health, and substance misuse prevention in our community. The collaboration between EPPD and EPPC focuses on education, prevention initiatives, and community outreach. By combining law enforcement resources with EPPC’s prevention and community engagement efforts, we are able to better address issues like prescription drug misuse and raise awareness about safe medication practices. Together, we work to create programs and events that help keep residents informed, safe, and supported.
What role does Drug Take Back Day play in community safety? Why is collecting unused medication important?
Events like National Drug Take Back Day play an important role in community safety. They provide a safe and convenient way for residents to dispose of unused, expired, or unwanted medications. Collecting unused medication is important for several reasons. First, medications left in homes can be misused by family members, friends, or others who gain access to them, which can be harmful to their health. Prescription drug misuse is often linked to medications that were originally prescribed but never properly disposed of. Second, proper disposal helps prevent medications from being flushed or thrown in the trash, which can harm the environment and contaminate water systems. Drug Take Back Day gives people a simple and responsible option to get rid of these medications safely.
This is a no-questions type of event. If you have any form of drug you are looking to get rid of safely, all you have to do is stop by during this event and throw it in one of our boxes. No personal information gets leaked, and the box is sealed once it is filled. An officer, usually myself, then escorts all of the sealed boxes to the DEA office, where it is dropped off and later destroyed.
How does EPPD prepare for Drug Take Back Day? How have you collaborated with other organizations in the past?
To prepare for Drug Take Back Day, EPPD coordinates logistics such as setting up secure collection locations, ensuring proper handling and storage of medications, and assigning officers and volunteers to assist community members during the event. We also work on public outreach by sharing information through social media, local news, and community partners so residents know when and where they can participate.
In the past, we have collaborated with organizations like the East Providence Prevention Coalition, local schools, healthcare providers, and community groups to help promote the event and educate the public. These partnerships are essential because they expand our reach and help us connect with more residents who may benefit from safely disposing of unused medications. This is just another way we can keep our community clean and safe. I have participated firsthand with members of the East Providence Prevention Coalition during Drug Take Back Day and observed a large quantity of various prescription drugs leave the community. I generally feel this promotes a safer community.
The East Providence Police Department is hosting its Drug Take Back Day event on Saturday, April 25th from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the East Providence Police Station. If you are unable to attend Drug Take Back Day, you can contact the EPPC for free at-home medication disposal systems, such as Deterra, or safely deposit medications at the CVS disposal box at 640 Warren Ave. While residents are welcome to remove personal information from labels if they choose, it is not required. All medications are handled securely and transferred directly to the DEA for safe incineration. We also accept e-cigarettes and vape devices, as long as batteries are removed.
Individuals looking to learn more about Drug Take Back Day and find collection sites in their area should visit the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s website. The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) also provides free lock bags, which community members can use to securely store their medications. The Rhode Island Prevention Resource Center encourages everyone to prevent medication misuse and accidental poisoning through secure storage and safe disposal of all medications.
