National Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency, arrives every 4th Saturday of April. This vital observance educates the public on the dangers of prescription drug misuse and improper disposal. Take action by finding a local collection site to safely discard your expired or unwanted medications.
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Expected National Drug Take Back Day Deals
National Drug Take Back Day focuses on public health and safety rather than commercial deals. The primary activity is the collection of unused or expired prescription medications at thousands of sites nationwide, often organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in partnership with local law enforcement and pharmacies. Organizations like the Partnership to End Addiction and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) promote awareness campaigns. Many pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, offer year-round medication disposal kiosks, which see increased utilization around this day. Some pharmaceutical companies, such as DisposeRx, provide at-home disposal solutions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also offers guidance on safe disposal methods. We will update this page with confirmed live collection event details as April approaches.
Platform Guide for National Drug Take Back Day
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Mention @NatlToday and use #DrugTakeBackDay. Share information about local collection sites and the importance of safe disposal.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDrugTakeBackDay. Post educational graphics and videos on medication safety.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #DrugDisposal. Create visual content highlighting the impact of improper drug disposal on communities.
National Drug Take Back Day Hero
Chuck Rosenberg
National Drug Take Back Day timeline
Thousands of Western European babies suffered birth defects resulting from thalidomide, a sleeping pill, prompting U.S authorities to prohibit the drug from entering American markets.
With the FDA Act of 1988, the FDA joined the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct research, enforce laws, educate the public, and provide information on drug abuse and current drug policy.
The Office of Drug Control Policy reported on the heavy use of heroin by youth and young adults.
The Drug Safety Board, focusing on issues around drug safety, formed as a collaboration between public and private entities.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Drug Take Back Day
Local businesses, especially pharmacies and healthcare providers, can play a crucial role in supporting National Drug Take Back Day. Pharmacies can highlight their permanent medication disposal kiosks and educate customers on proper disposal methods. Community health centers can host informational sessions or partner with local law enforcement to set up temporary collection sites, ensuring safe and accessible options for residents. Retailers can distribute educational flyers or promote awareness campaigns through their social media channels, emphasizing the importance of removing unused medications from homes to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.
National Drug Take Back Day FAQs
When is National Drug Take Back Day?
National Drug Take Back Day 2027 will be observed on Saturday, April 24. This annual event encourages everyone to clear out their medicine cabinets and responsibly dispose of old prescriptions.
What types of medications can be taken back?
The DEA’s program primarily targets unneeded prescription pills and patches. While most common drugs are accepted, always confirm with your chosen disposal location regarding items like syringes, inhalers, or chemotherapy drugs, as rules can vary.
How many drugs have been collected through this initiative?
The program continues to grow, with each event adding hundreds of thousands of pounds to the total. With over 18 million pounds already collected, the initiative demonstrates a significant national commitment to public safety and environmental protection.
Why is safe medication disposal important?
Properly disposing of medications protects both individuals and the planet. It removes the risk of children or pets accidentally ingesting drugs, prevents theft and illicit use, and ensures pharmaceuticals don’t enter the water supply, safeguarding ecosystems.
How to Observe National Drug Take Back Day
Do the right thing
Deliver your expired or suspect prescription drugs to a DEA-authorized location. Whether it's a pharmacy or a national chain drop-off site, a clearly marked area with authorized representatives will accept your prescription drugs between 10am and 2pm, local time. If you have questions, log onto the DEA's website where there's a ton of information about the campaign.
Find a drug treatment center
If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid or prescription drug addiction, take that first step to find a treatment center on National Drug Take Back Day. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a therapeutic option that combines behavioral therapies with medications to heal the patient holistically. Drugs like methadone and buprenorphine are being successfully integrated into treatment plans.
Visit the DEA's Partnership Toolbox
Be a leader in the fight against prescription drug abuse. Go to the DEA's website and download their Partnership Toolbox. You'll find downloadable posters, treatment locations, and so much more.
5 Urgent Facts About Prescription Drug Abuse
It's a killer
More people die from prescription drug abuse than traffic accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
It will hospitalize you
About 120,000 Americans land in the hospital each year after overdosing on painkillers.
It hits hard in rural areas
American rural areas suffer the highest loss of life due to prescription painkiller overdoses.
It leads the way in fatalities
Legally prescribed pain pills are now the number one cause of fatal overdoses according to the CDC.
It affects our teenagers
A whopping 70 percent of teens who abuse prescription drugs include lots of reasons for doing so —including the need to relax and peer pressure; amazingly, some teens don't even know why they started abusing the drugs in the first place.
Why National Drug Take Back Day is Important
It's only for prescription drug removal
National Drug Take Back Day occurs every six months. The DEA started this campaign so the public would understand how important it is for prescription drugs to be disposed of safely. That way they won't fall into the wrong hands. Illegal drugs and paraphernalia — as well as inhalers and blood test strips — aren't part of the campaign. When prescription drugs are disposed of improperly, it puts us all in harm's way.
It teaches the correct methods of disposal
Never flush expired prescription drugs down the sink or toilet unless the label on the bottle says so. Locate a DEA-approved location or do it safely yourself. Remove the drugs from the bottle and mix them in with dirt, used coffee grounds, kitty litter or something similar. Then, place the drugs in a sealable bag and chuck into the garbage can. If you're still unsure, ask your friendly neighborhood pharmacist for advice.
It helps communities stay safe
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. Many of these drugs were snatched from a friend or family member's medicine cabinet. The DEA considers medications that fall into the wrong hands a safety and environmental issue affecting all of us. That's why National Drug Take Back Day urges the proper disposal of prescription drugs — and, hopefully, saves lives.
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