United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will host the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at nearly 4,200 locations nationwide. 

Twice a year, DEA joins forces with local law enforcement and community groups to host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, giving the public a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired and unused prescription medications. By getting rid of unnecessary medications in the home, families can help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the potential for accidental poisonings. 

“Removing unused and expired medications from your home and disposing of them properly is a simple but powerful step in preventing prescription drug misuse,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a critical public safety initiative that we have hosted for 16 years. Its continued success is due, in large part, to our local and state law enforcement and community partners who continue to stand with us to make our communities safe.”

Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division, mentioned that “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our local, state, and federal partners for their extraordinary support in collecting over 25,000 pounds of materials from 280 locations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia this past October. This ongoing collaboration is key to reaching more communities and making great strides toward creating a safer and healthier life for everyone. The Take Back initiative is driven by the community, and I warmly invite everyone to bring any expired or unused medications to a nearby collection site. You can even include vape pens and cartridges, just remember to remove the batteries first. Properly disposing of these items is important to prevent misuse and ensure they don’t end up in the wrong hands.”

Since 2010, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided an easy and accessible way to dispose of medications that could pose a threat if misused. Over the past 16 years, National Prescription Take Back Day has removed more than 20 million pounds of unwanted medications from communities across the United States. 

Opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most misused prescription pain medications, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).  

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should be securely sealed in their original container.  

Syringes, sharps, or illicit drugs are not collected. To learn how to properly dispose of these items we encourage you to visit FDA.gov.  

To find the Take Back Day location nearest you visit www.DEATakeBack.com.   

For those unable to participate in this month’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal year-round. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes to ensure Every Day is Take Back Day. 

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Take Back Day National Release_April 2026 FINAL.docx