United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW ORLEANS — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Orleans Field Division, alongside 151 state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community health partners across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, today announced that residents safely disposed of 74,059 pounds (over 37 tons) of unneeded medications during the Fall 2026 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 24.

Highlighting the division’s regional success, Arkansas led the entire nation in collection weight for the 31st Take Back Day, bringing in 59,780 pounds of unneeded pharmaceuticals -- outperforming every state in the country. Combined across all four states (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas), the New Orleans Field Division accounted for over 11.4% of the entire nation's collected pharmaceutical weight.

This semi-annual initiative provides communities with a free, safe, and anonymous way to dispose of unneeded, expired, and unwanted prescription medications, preventing drug misuse, accidental poisonings, and environmental contamination. Nationwide, DEA and more than 4,200 law enforcement partners collected 645,636 pounds of unused medications across 4,212 collection sites. Since the inception of the program in 2010, the DEA New Orleans Field Division footprint alone has safely removed over 1.15 million pounds (575 tons) of pharmaceutical waste from local households.

Across the four-state New Orleans Field Division footprint, residents turned out in high numbers across 163 dedicated collection sites to clear out home medicine cabinets:

• Arkansas: State collection operations safely removed 59,780 lbs. of unneeded medications across 118 collection sites and 193 law enforcement partners, earning the #1 ranking nationwide.
• Louisiana: 37 law enforcement partners across 41 collection sites gathered 7,567 lbs. of unneeded medications.
• Mississippi: 43 law enforcement partners across 44 collection sites gathered 4,234 lbs. of unneeded medications.
• Alabama: 33 law enforcement partners across 38 collection sites gathered 2,478 lbs. of unneeded medications.
• Regional Footprint Totals: 151 Law Enforcement Partners | 163 Collection Sites | 74,059 lbs. (Over 37 tons)

“The success of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day relies entirely on strong community leadership and active public participation,” said John P. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA New Orleans Field Division. “We are immensely proud to see Arkansas lead the entire nation in collection totals this fall, and deeply grateful to all our law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, National Guard personnel, and civic partners across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. Removing more than 37 tons of unused prescription drugs from local homes directly prevents medication misuse and keeps our neighborhoods safer.”

Year-Round Safe Disposal Options For residents who were unable to participate during the October 24 event, safe drug disposal remains available 365 days a year. More than 15,300 authorized permanent drop-box locations—including participating local pharmacies, police department lobbies, and hospital sites—accept unwanted prescription medications year-round.

To locate a year-round drop-off site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or contact your local law enforcement agency.