Beginning April 25, Google will use its homepage and maps service to promote the Drug Enforcement Administration's "Take Back Day" project, which aims to address and fight the opioid crisis, according to The Washington Post.
Google will promote the DEA's project underneath its search bar. The initiative encourages people to bring unused medications to a site near them where they can safely and anonymously dispose of leftover prescription meds. The semiannual event will take place April 28.
Additionally, Google Maps is launching a tool for users to locate the 5,500 drug-collection sites across the U.S.
"We're deeply concerned by the opioid crisis that has impacted families in every corner of the United States," Susan Molinari, Google's vice president of public policy, said in a blog post April 25. "Many people aren't aware of, or can't easily find, prescription drug disposal programs in their communities."
The agency reported its most recent Take Back Day broke a record for total weight of drugs destroyed. However, it is challenging to measure how effective the initiative is since the DEA does not evaluate how many opioids it discards compared to other types of medicine, The Washington Post noted.
The DEA argues the removal of more drugs from homes could curb drug addiction and overdose rates.