MADISON, (WKOW) — Community members gathered at Mount Zion Baptist Church on Fisher Street on Saturday for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

This event focused on promoting safe and environmentally friendly medication disposal. Hosted by Safe Communities of Dane County and the African American Opioid Coalition, the event provided residents with the chance to safely dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications.

Sixteen collection sites were set up across Dane County, including three in Madison.

“We want people to bring their medications out and drop them off in a safe way so they don’t put them down the drains,” said Carolyn Rumpf, a member of the African American Opioid Coalition.

“When people flush pills, they end up in our water systems and our Earth. This is about protecting both people and the environment,” Rumpf said.

The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to combat prescription drug misuse, which is a serious public health concern. Studies indicate that most misused prescription drugs come from family and friends. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, nearly 45.8% of American adults used a prescription drug in the last 30 days, and about 16 million Americans misuse prescription drugs each year.

Rumpf said the African American Opioid Coalition’s mission extends beyond prevention.

“We’re here to help people who struggle with substance abuse,” she said. “We have recovery coaches available, and we can connect people with professional help. Anyone who needs support can reach out to us—we’ll guide them in the right direction.”