National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. Before leaving home, use the DEA collection-site locator to find a participating location rather than assuming every pharmacy or police station is an event site.
The DEA's October 7 announcement describes collection of unneeded, expired and unused prescription medications. It lists tablets, capsules and patches, along with liquid medication securely sealed in its original container. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs are excluded.
Sort before you travel
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Unneeded prescription tablets or capsules | Check the participating site's instructions |
| Liquid medication | Keep securely sealed in the original container |
| Syringes or other sharps | Use a separate approved local sharps-disposal route |
| Medication you may still need | Ask your pharmacist or prescriber before discarding |
| Questions about an unusual item | Contact the site before packing it |
This is a disposal event, not a reason to stop a prescribed treatment. Separate medicines intended for disposal from the current household supply. If you manage another person's medication, confirm what is no longer needed with them and the appropriate care professional before removing it.
Keep the packed items secure while traveling and follow the collection site's directions on arrival. Do not leave medicine outside a closed location or in an unattended container because the event has ended.
DEA's consumer event page confirms the local-time schedule. The agency also provides a search for year-round authorized disposal locations. If the event hours do not work, find an appropriate permanent collector and verify its acceptance conditions before making the trip. Keep sharps separate while arranging their own disposal route.
