United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEWARK, N.J. - On April 25, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration joined 4,306  law enforcement agencies across the country for the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The bi-annual event collected 642,410 pounds of unneeded and expired medications at 4,417 collection sites nationwide. 

Since its inception in 2010, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has collected 21,034,225 pounds – the equivalent of more than 10,500 tons – of unnecessary medications from homes to help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental overdoses and poisonings. 

Once again, New Jersey residents did their part by turning in more than 12,000 pounds of unneeded or expired medications. 

“The collection of more than 12,000 pounds of unwanted medications demonstrates the public’s commitment to keeping dangerous prescription drugs out of the wrong hands and out of our communities,” said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James. “DEA is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to provide a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unused medications and help prevent prescription drug misuse.”

For those unable to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses, in addition to many police departments, that offer safe medication disposal year-round. For information on permanent drop boxes, please visit DEA’s Every Day is Take Back Day page.

Complete results for DEA’s Spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available on DEA’s Take Back Day page.