City officials in Houston are launching a vital initiative aimed at combating the opioid crisis through the "Operation Take Back" campaign. This program encourages city employees to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications, while also serving as an educational tool for the youth about the dangers of pharmaceuticals.

At a recent event at City Hall, Council Member Sally Alcorn highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "Programs like this will benefit our community by creating safer environments and educating our youth to understand the risks and the impact of these substances that are flooding our streets right now." The campaign is particularly timely, as it coincides with the national prescription drug take-back day, where all 21,000 city employees are invited to bring their unused medications to the City Hall Rotunda.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is partnering with the mayor's office to preview this initiative, which has already seen significant success over the past 16 years, collecting 19 million pounds of medications. Alcorn shared a personal connection to the cause, revealing that a friend lost their life to synthetic fentanyl in 2017, underscoring the urgent need for education and prevention efforts.

In addition to medication disposal, the event featured the Willard Foundation and Houston Community College students distributing naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The overarching goal of "Operation Take Back" is to reduce the chances of drug abuse and ensure safer communities for all residents. As the campaign kicks off, officials are hopeful for strong participation and increased awareness around mental health care access.