Behavioral Intervention and Disposal of Leftover Opioids: A Randomized Trial

Providing a medication disposal method and an educational intervention is more effective than providing a disposal method alone. This study found that delivering disposal methods and information about the risks of retaining medication at the time of opioid prescription effectively encouraged parents to dispose of their children’s leftover medication properly. This two-pronged intervention reduced parents’ intent to retain prescription opioid medication. Additional research is needed to further determine the long-term impact of such interventions on opioid misuse and adverse events.