Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) today introduced the VA DROP Act (H.R. 4817) to direct the Secretary of the Veteran’s Administration to ensure that certain Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities have physical locations for the disposal of controlled substance medications.

“This commonsense legislation provides for the secure disposal of controlled substances by creating a safe, anonymous, and continuously available way for veterans to easily dispose of unwanted medications, said Congressman Baird. “VA patients are at a significantly higher risk to suffer from an opioid-use disorder than the general public. I’m proud Indiana’s Roudebush VA Hospital has led on this effort and is the model for this legislative proposal.”

The VA DROP Act ensures covered VA medical facilities, with an on-site pharmacy or with a law enforcement officer present to monitor the disposal location, will be charged with having a physical location for disposal of these medications. To view full bill text, please click here.

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Congressman Jim Baird represents Indiana’s 4th Congressional District. A lifelong Hoosier, he serves as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.