United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN FRANCISCO – On October 24, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 law enforcement partners collected 645,636 pounds of unused medications as part of ongoing efforts to prevent drug misuse. This event marked DEA’s 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day with 4,212 collection sites nationwide, including 64 tribal locations.   

San Francisco Field Division and our law enforcement partners continued to play their role during this Take Back Day. More than 13,128.82 pounds of unused medications were collected across Northern California with 63 participating police departments at 70 collection sites.

Since 2010, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has collected 21,679,861 pounds of unused, unwanted, and expired medications – the equivalent of more than 10,840 tons – to help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental overdoses and poisonings. 

“The collection of 13,128.82 pounds of unwanted prescription medications across San Francisco's Field Division region demonstrates the dedication of our communities and law enforcement partners to preventing substance misuse” stated DEA San Francisco Field Division Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. “Unused prescription medications are a public safety issue, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day displays a collaborative effort of preventing dangerous medications from landing in the wrong hands, protecting our families, and saving lives.

More than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, businesses, and many police departments offer safe medication disposal year-round.  For information on permanent drop boxes, visit DEA’s Every Day is Take Back Day webpage.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day results are available at Take Back Day. Safe disposal of unused medications remains one of the simplest ways communities can help prevent drug misuse.