United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – 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.

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.”

“I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to clean out their medicine cabinets and take those unused, expired, and unneeded medications to a nearby collection site for safe disposal,” said Erek Davodowich, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “This small act can have a big impact at a time when Americans are dying in record numbers from drug overdoses and poisonings.  Oftentimes, opioid abuse and the path to addiction begins with the home medicine cabinet.” 

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 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 businesses working to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

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