California installs 250 medication disposal bins across state

Apr 12, 2021

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) have finished installing approximately 250 safe medication disposal bins (med bins) across California, expanding the network of med bins for the public to use for free.

These efforts are part of the California Drug Take-Back Program, which provides med bins for the safe disposal of unwanted, unneeded, or expired medication. The state created this program to combat the opioid crisis and reduce the misuse of medications. It provides publications that explain how to use med bins, offers a comprehensive med bin locator map, and educates the public on the benefits of using med bins.

“Due to the ongoing pandemic, this expansion of the med bin program couldn’t be more timely. Unused medications that are not disposed of properly can cause a myriad of serious public safety concerns,” said CPSC Executive Director Doug Kobold in a release.

DHCS funded the Drug Take-Back Program, which ended March 31^st, 2021, with a $3 million grant through the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports the MAT program under the State Opioid Response grant.

Biden-Harris Administration Releases Drug Policy Priorities

Apr 7, 2021

On April 1^st, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration released their drug policy priorities for their first year in office. Statutorily due to Congress in an inaugural year, these priorities are:

• Expanding access to evidence-based treatment;
• Advancing racial equity issues in drug policy;
• Enhancing evidence-based harm reduction efforts;
• Supporting evidence-based prevention efforts to reduce youth substance use;
• Reducing the supply of illicit substances;
• Advancing recovery-ready workplaces and expanding the addiction workforce; and
• Expanding access to recovery support services.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) will coordinate these drug policies by convening federal agencies and setting drug control budget and policy priorities for the government.

This statement complements the appropriations for behavioral health services in the American Rescue Plan, which President Biden signed into law in March. The law provides nearly $4 billion to enable the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand access to behavioral health services.