National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: What you need to know

WASHINGTON — It’s time to clear out your medicine cabinets and make a plan to get rid of your expired or unwanted prescription medications.

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with drop-off locations set up across the United States to help you properly dispose of the drugs for free.

Before you set out to get rid of unwanted or unneeded prescription drugs in your home, here are a few things to know about the program.

When is it?

On Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, the Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 23rd annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offering anonymous disposal of unneeded medications.

Where can I drop off my medication?

Over 4,000 local drop-off locations are available nationwide. The DEA has set up a collection site locator to find the closest drop-off location near you. You can input your ZIP code and how far you are willing to travel on the tool located here.

Will they take all drugs at the anonymous drop-off locations?

The DEA and its partners will collect various prescription drugs, including:

• tablets
• capsules
• patches
• other forms of prescription drugs

They will also take liquid products like cough syrup, as long as they are sealed and in its original container.

Vaping devices and cartridges can be dropped off once the batteries are removed.

Note: Syringes, sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted at drop-off locations.

What if I need to get rid of medications after Saturday?

If you miss the event, many pharmacies, hospitals and businesses provide prescription disposal year-round. To find a prescription drop-off near you, the DEA has created a search utility to find participating controlled substance disposal locations, found here.

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