Turn in unneeded medications for safe disposal during DEA drug take-back day
Unused prescription drugs can find their way into the wrong hands, which is dangerous and can lead to tragic consequences. They can also damage the environment when improperly disposed of (such as flushing). The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holds its biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to help combat the misuse use of prescription drugs by encouraging consumers to drop off unwanted and expired medications safely at collection sites participating in Take Back Day. The next event is April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To find a participating site near you, go to www.deatakeback.com and enter your ZIP code or county, or city and state. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop-off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.
Consumers can also visit the California State Board of Pharmacy online anytime to find pharmacies offering onsite collection bins and/or envelopes for mailing back unused medications. To find a participating pharmacy near you, go to www.pharmacy.ca.gov, scroll down to “Important Information for Consumers,” and click on Drug Take-Back: Find a Drop-off Location. This search page also has links to help consumers find additional drug take-back locations through resources operated by other government entities.
If you miss the DEA’s event, you can also visit the DEA’s Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations Search Utility to find authorized collectors.
To learn more about National Drug Take Back Day, go to www.deatakeback.com or call (800) 882-9539.
