DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Enters 15th Year of Removing Unneeded Medications from Communities

WASHINGTON, DC - Together with its law enforcement partners, the Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event aims to remove unneeded prescriptions from homes to help prevent medication misuse by offering anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at close to 5,000 local drop-off locations nationwide(link is external).

For fifteen years, DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications-those that are old, unwanted, or expired-some of which can be a gateway to addiction.

"Properly disposing of unneeded medications is essential. It stops drug poisonings and minimizes the risk for misuse," said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. "DEA is committed to protecting the safety and health of all Americans. DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a free and easy way to come together as a community to turn the tide on the drug poisoning epidemic."

There are several ways to misuse prescription medications including taking a medicine prescribed to someone else, using medicine in a way other than it was prescribed, taking medicines to get high or feel numb, or mixing medicine with illicit drugs or alcohol.

According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are the most misused prescription pain medications.

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain tightly sealed in their original container. We will also continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges provided the lithium batteries are removed.

A location finder and partner toolbox are available at www.DEATakeBack.com(link is external)for easy reference to nearby collection sites.

Beyond DEA's Take Back Day event this Saturday, there are also opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at close to 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businessesworking to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

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