The 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time at thousands of locations nationwide.
Purpose: To provide a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to dispose of unneeded, expired, or unwanted prescription drugs.
Accepted Items: Tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription medication.
Liquids: Liquid products (e.g., cough syrup) should be sealed in their original container.
Items NOT Accepted: Syringes, sharps, and illegal drugs are generally not collected at these events.
Cost: FREE and anonymous.
Location Locator: You can find a nearby drop-off site on the official DEA website at DEATakeBack.com.
Why Participate? Unused medications in home medicine cabinets are a public safety risk, often becoming a source of diversion and abuse, particularly for opioids. The DEA's program helps prevent misuse and accidental poisoning, and it keeps medications out of landfills and water systems.
Year-Round Options: If you cannot participate on April 25, 2026, many police departments, pharmacies (like CVS and Walgreens), and hospitals offer permanent, year-round disposal drop boxes.