The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with more than 4,300 law enforcement partners, will host the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 4,400 collection sites will be set up across the country to dispose of unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications. The sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and liquid medications in their original sealed containers. Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted.
Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than 20 million pounds of medications from their homes, according to the DEA. Prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Removing unneeded medications reduces the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion.
Participants can find registered locations at www.DEATakeBack.com. For year-round disposal options, more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses offer safe medication disposal, and many police departments operate permanent drop boxes.