The 15th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies, is April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During this time, unused medicines can be dropped off with no questions asked. Click here to locate a collection site.
During a collection held last October, 456 tons of prescription drugs were turned in at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,300 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 14 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in more than 9 million pounds—more than 4,500 tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Old, unused medicines that remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The best way to dispose of unused medications is at a collection site. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety, health and environmental hazards and are not advised.
