There are two important ways you and your favorite chemistry enthusiasts can support your local community through the Healing Power of Chemistry.
Distribute First Aid Kits
People who are facing food or housing insecurity likely do not have well-stocked first aid kits, leaving them unable to address injuries or illnesses immediately. The ACS Committee on Community Activities is encouraging everyone to donate items for first aid kits, assemble kits, and then distribute them to needy families through food banks, transitional housing programs, and other community service organizations.
The materials that are needed for a first aid kit include:
- Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- Sterile gauze pads (assorted sizes)
- Adhesive cloth tape
- Roll bandages
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Latex gloves
- Tweezers
- Thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
- Mask to filter airborne contaminants
- First aid guide
Get inspiration from or join forces with another organization such as Aid First, which was founded by middle school students during the pandemic.
Organize or participate in a drug take back event
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a public health crisis that threatens the safety of our communities. We can lower the risks to individuals in our own households by removing unnecessary medications and disposing of them appropriately. We can make an even greater impact by encouraging others to do the same. Together we can reduce the number of overdoses and overdose deaths ravaging communities.
National Take Back Day is a voluntary program in the United States, coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), that pulls together resources to make it easy for people to return excess or expired prescription drugs. Learn about the problem, promote National Take Back Day, or a find collection site near you to organize a take back on your own timeline. National Take Back Days take place in October and April each year. To know more details of the drug take back program, please read the article Getting Rid of Unused Medicines … The Safe Way from the current edition of Celebrating Chemistry.
Find data on participation and the mass of collected medications
