Preparing for the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a biannual event hosted nationwide to provide the public with a free and convenient opportunity for the disposal of unwanted, unused, and expired medicines from households. The event is hosted by the DEA in partnership with local law enforcement agencies all across the United States.

If you’re planning to participate in the upcoming DEA Take-Back Day on April 27, 2024 from 10 AM – 2 PM, keep reading to learn where to go, what to expect, and how to prepare.

Where does the DEA Take-Back Day take place?

To find an event site near you, use the locator tool featured on the event’s homepage here. If you do not immediately find a collection site near you, the DEA encourages visitors to continue checking back frequently, as new sites are added each day. Host locations typically include law enforcement facilities, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and clinics.

What types of unwanted, unused, or expired medicines will be collected?

During the event, host sites will be collecting pills and capsules. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines will be accepted.

The DEA cannot accept liquids, sharps, or needles. For guidance on disposal of these types of products, check your local regulations for disposal methods, and then review the following resources provided by the FDA:

• Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines
• Best Way to Get Rid of Used Needles and Other Sharps

What steps should I take to prepare?

• First, collect the unwanted, unused, and expired medicines that you plan to dispose of.
• Next, remove or black-out any personally-identifying information from the products’ labels or packaging.
• Keep the products in their prescription bottles or packaging and place them in a clear, sealed bag.
• Finally, be sure to store products you plan to dispose of in a location that is hard-to-reach, out-of-sight, and/or in a secure storage device (small, personal lock-boxes can be purchased online, or at your local hardware or sporting goods stores), particularly if you have children or pets in your household that may inadvertently come into contact with them.

What can I expect once I arrive?

Trained volunteers will be available at the event to handle collected materials and ensure safe disposal. You will be expected to provide the materials you wish to dispose of in a clear, sealed bag (volunteers will not be able to accept loose pills or capsules).

When attending the event, be sure to follow any procedures and/or guidance provided by volunteers at your local collection site to help keep yourself and your community safe.

What if I can’t make it to the event?

MyOldMeds.com features a Locator Tool that can help you find options for year-round disposal, including kiosk sites and locations offering in-home disposal kits. Additionally, the Locator Tool provides information on disposal sites’ hours of operation, hours of collection, what they collect, and other pertinent information. For tips on preparing to visit a disposal site near you, check out our blog post: Three Steps to Take Before Visiting a Kiosk Site.

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Disclaimer: PPSWG has compiled the list of kiosk sites based on publicly available information for your convenience but does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information. PPSWG does not endorse and denies any responsibility or liability for the kiosk sites listed, or for processes they employ for collection, transportation, treatment, or disposal of the medicines they collect. If you have questions about a kiosk site, including current kiosk access, what can be disposed of, and hours of operation, contact the kiosk site directly. If you are not able to visit a kiosk and have immediate disposal needs visit the FDA website for additional guidance and be sure to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.