National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Is April 27

What types of drugs can be discarded?

Any tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs are accepted, along with vaping devices and cartridges if the lithium batteries are removed. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharp items and illicit drugs are not accepted.

For those who have prescription drugs they would like to dispose of on other days throughout the year, there are more than 13,000 locations where medications can be discarded safely, including pharmacies, hospitals and police stations. Some of them are taking part in this year’s Take Back Day. The public also has the option to drop off unwanted medications at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center. Check your local VA health facility for more information.

Although these programs are the best way to throw out old medications, some people don’t live near a take-back location. The DEA recommends they take the unwanted medications out of their bottles, mix them with something unappealing such as used cat litter or coffee grounds, and seal it all in a bag or disposable container before throwing it in the trash. 

For more information on proper drug disposal, visit the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) page of frequently asked questions.

Drug overdoses by the numbers

In 2022, drug overdose deaths hit an all-time high of 106,699 fatalities in one year, most commonly from opioids. That’s about 292 people per day, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A majority of those who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from a family member or friend. Teens often take them from medicine cabinets in the homes of friends and family members, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.