Implementation and Evaluation of an Interprofessional Drug Take-Back Event on a University Campus

Objectives: 1) To describe the interprofessional implementation process and programmatic outcomes of an inaugural drug take-back event on a university campus; 2) To quantify donated medications and summarize donor demographics. Method: East Tennessee State University (ETSU) affiliated colleges, campus organizations, research teams, law enforcement and other community partners collaborated to host the inaugural live drug take-back event on ETSU’s main undergraduate campus. Programmatic outcomes included the number of community stakeholders, ETSU participating colleges, student donors, and donated medication metrics, including controlled substance medications. All donated medications were quantified by drug name and controlled substance schedule. Donor demographic information and perceptions of drug abuse on campus were collected using a brief survey. Results: Fifty pounds of medications were collected for disposal by 42 donors (9 students; 33 non-students). Controlled substances accounted for 8% of donated medications. Nearly 80% of student donors were enrolled in Academic Health Science Center colleges. Aggregate survey results indicated concerns about prescription drug abuse and misuse on campus. Three faculty members, two research fellows, two doctoral students, three graduate assistants and eight professional students from ETSU’s Colleges of Pharmacy and Public Health, as well as additional staff members, represented the contributing community entities and colleges during the live event. Implications: Conduction of drug take-back events on a university campus can promote interprofessional public health interventions and simultaneously reduce opportunities for nonmedical use of prescription drugs in college students. Further research is warranted to establish best practices and maximum impact for college-based take-back events.