It begins with one pill: a prescription written in good faith and accepted with trust. Yet that one pill can change the course of a life which is a reality reflected in the more than 80,000 Americans who died from opioid overdoses in 2023. The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across the country, and despite the risks, our nation continues to rely on opioids to treat pain.

In 2023, approximately 125 million Americans filled an opioid prescription. While they can be effective, they also come with risks – especially for our seniors, who continue to experience rising rates of opioid overdose deaths.

As the CEO of the Caregiver Action Network, I advocate on behalf of the millions of caregivers who are on the frontline of this crisis. These Americans care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, or diseases – often seniors who are facing the realities of aging while managing complex health conditions. And as 29% of caregivers are caring for aging parents while raising children, bringing opioids into the home adds another layer of vulnerability for families.

Prevention remains one of the most underused tools in this crisis – one that can protect our seniors while also safeguarding our homes. Unused medications in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and misuse, often by friends or family members. Yet many Americans lack clear guidance on safe disposal, leading to practices that pose both health and environmental risks.

Initiatives like National Prescription Drug Take Back Day offer an accessible solution. By providing safe, anonymous disposal sites, these efforts help reduce access to unused medications and prevent misuse before it starts. But disposal alone is not enough.

Expanding access to innovative treatments, like non-opioid pain options, is critical. While new alternatives exist, they are often harder to access due to coverage gaps and reimbursement barriers that often leave opioids as the default option. Recent policy efforts aim to change that by improving access to safer, non-addictive treatments.

On National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, take action to protect our seniors and our children. Visit www.dea.gov/takebackday to find collection sites near you. Additionally, check out the Families, Addiction & Mental Health website to find resources that prepare you and your loved ones for conversations about acute pain treatment options, including a caregiver, rural and veteran discussion guide.

One pill should never change the course of a family’s life. By safely disposing of unused medications, advocating for access to non-opioid pain options, and supporting the caregivers who shoulder so much of this crisis, we can write a different story.