United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK – With robust public participation over the course of 17 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens.

On Saturday, October 26, in continuation of this effort, DEA and its national, tribal and community partners will hold the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country. The service is free and anonymous.

For the first time, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.

Concerns have been raised across the United States over illnesses and death caused by vaping and the high youth vaping initiation rates. In an effort to support a healthy lifestyle and energetic population, especially amongst America’s youth, DEA is committed to doing all it can to help safely dispose of vaping devices and substances. 

“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative helps get unused and unwanted prescription medications out of circulation and ensures their safe disposal,” said Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon.  “This year, we are taking a step further by accepting vaping devices and cartridges as we work with our federal partners to combat this emerging public health threat to the nation’s youth.”

“In addition to providing New Yorkers with an anonymous and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, expired and/or unused prescription medication, this will be the first event where DEA accepts vaping devices and cartridges,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan.” The Take Back Initiative is just one way DEA strives to keep communities safe from drug abuse and addiction.” 

“The DEA Prescription Drug Takeback Day gives all of us an opportunity to help prevent addiction and overdose deaths by ensuring that unused prescription drugs are safely discarded,” said U.S. Attorney Grant Jaquith, Northern District of New York. “Too many tragedies result from the abuse of drugs taken from home medicine cabinets. We encourage everyone to protect their family and friends, as well as public health and our environment, by taking advantage of Prescription Drug Takeback Day, and we commend the DEA employees who have worked hard to make this initiative a success in Upstate New York.”

Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected a total of more than 11 million pounds (almost 6,000 tons) of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. DEA is continuing to register law enforcement partners and collection sites for the upcoming Take Back Day. As of Oct. 15, more than 4,500 registered law enforcement partners will assist with more than 5,250 registered sites and 135 tribal locations across the country, with more being added each day Collection sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539.

Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York, U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York, and U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of New York for their support and all of our state and local partners who have teamed up with us for this event at collection sites in New York State.

National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last April, the public turned in 469 tons (937,443pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 6,258 sites operated by the DEA and its 4,969 local and tribal partners. 

For more information about the harms of youth vaping, please visit: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/facts/vaping-what-you-should-know.

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