We know that there is something reassuring about a product that promises to “neutralize” a problem, especially one as overwhelming as the opioid overdose crisis.
Seal it!
Shake it!
Throw it away!
Another opioid overdose prevented! 🦸
And while the companies that sell these “solutions” make it seem like if you buy their product, we will have the opioid overdose epidemic in the bag… I’m here to tell you, that’s rubbish.
Products like Deterra drug disposal pouches are selling a vision that their product can keep medications out of the “wrong” hands. And while safe storage and disposal of opioids is important, there’s are some big issues with spending opioid settlement money in this way...so, let’s unpack why drug disposal pouches are showing up on our WFAM list.
Quick WFAM Project Updates (11.19.25)
- Our database is at 407 WFAM examples
- 📈 +33 WFAM examples since last post
- Current WFAM Total: ~$29.3mil
- 📈 +$2.1mil since last post
Don’terra 💊🚽
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on drug disposal/deactivation pouches:
Drug Disposal Pouches (+$3,912,120)
2025 EOY UPDATE: +$4,861,125
- Vendors: Verde Environmental Technologies (Deterra), DisposeRx
- Where: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
- Initial Spending: Pouch, distribution (mailing, events, etc.)
- Long-term Costs: Replacement pouches (single-use product)
Background
Let’s start with: what is a drug disposal pouch?