Consumers will have the opportunity to dispose of unneeded or unwanted medications during the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) 15th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28, 2018. From 10 AM to 2 PM, consumers may safely dispose of unwanted medications at one of thousands of collection sites coordinated by DEA and provided by law enforcement agencies and community organizations in all 54 United States and jurisdictions. Those who cannot participate in the event can find a list of permanent, year-round drug disposal sites by using the AWARXE® Prescription Drug Safety Program’s Drug Disposal Locator Tool. ( https://nabp.pharmacy/initiatives/awarxe/drug-disposal-locator/ ). NABP’s AWARXE Program provides the public with information and resources for safe prescription medication use, abuse prevention, and disposal.

DEA Drug Take Back Day is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Sites will accept tablets, capsules, and all other solid dosage forms of unwanted medication. Personal information should be blacked out on prescription bottles, or medications may be emptied from the bottles into the bins provided at the events.

National take back days create an opportunity for consumers to safely and legally dispose of unneeded medications, including prescription controlled substances, such as certain pain medications. In October 2017, over 5,300 collection sites were set up and over 912,300 pounds (456 tons) of unused medications were collected during the 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. DEA’s Take Back Day website has more resources about the upcoming opportunity