DEA Drug Take Back Day 2025: Safely Disposing Medications

Unused or expired prescription medications left at home can be dangerous. To help prevent misuse and safeguard our communities, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take Back Day is held nationwide – a vital initiative promoting safe disposal and public health. This important event is just part of the DEA’s annual Red Ribbon Campaign. This year’s theme is “Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free.”

On Saturday, October 25 (from 10am-2pm), thousands of collection sites across the country will be open for safe, anonymous disposal of prescription and OTC drugs.

This event is held twice a year across the country in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies nationwide. In fact, this past spring, the DEA collected over 310 tons of household medicines.

Why does the DEA Drug Take Back Day matter?

Turning in expired or unwanted medications is a simple step we can all take to do the following:

Help prevent medication misuse and diversion and addiction

Prescription medications—especially opioids, stimulants, and sedatives—can be powerful tools for healing when used correctly. But when left unused or unsecured, they can become dangerous gateways to misuse, addiction, and even overdose. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly half of people who misuse prescription pain relievers get them from a friend or relative. DEA Drug Take Back Day empowers communities to cut off this supply chain—quietly, safely, and effectively. Every bottle dropped off is a step toward breaking the cycle of addiction before it starts.

Limits Access to High-Risk Medications: Unused prescriptions in the home are one of the most common sources of drugs for people who misuse them, especially teens and young adults.
Reduces Diversion: Medications intended for one person can be stolen, sold, or shared with others—often leading to misuse or dependency.
Supports Recovery and Prevention Efforts: By removing temptation and opportunity, safe disposal helps protect individuals in recovery and those vulnerable to substance use disorders.

Reduce the risk of accidental poisoning

Every year, thousands of emergency room visits are linked to accidental ingestion of medications—many involving children, older adults, or pets. Unused or expired prescriptions left in medicine cabinets, purses, or drawers can be mistaken for safe or current medications, leading to dangerous consequences. According to the CDC, poisoning is a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States—and medications are a major contributor. By removing unused drugs from your home, you’re eliminating a hidden hazard and helping prevent tragic accidents. This DEA Drug Take Back Day let’s make our homes safer, one medicine cabinet at a time.

Protects Children and Teens: Curious kids may see colorful pills as candy, while teens may experiment with medications not prescribed to them.
Safeguards Seniors: Older adults are more likely to take multiple medications and may accidentally take the wrong dose or expired drugs.
Keeps Pets Safe: Animals can easily chew through packaging and ingest pills that are toxic to them.

Keep drugs out of our water supply and landfills

When medications are flushed down the toilet or tossed in the trash, they don’t just disappear—they often end up in our water systems and landfills. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals have been detected in rivers, lakes, and even drinking water supplies and have been shown to affect wildlife and contribute to antibiotic resistance in the environment. By participating in the DEA Drug Take Back Day, you’re not just protecting your household—you’re helping safeguard the environment for future generations.

Safeguards Water Quality: Most wastewater treatment systems can’t remove pharmaceutical residues. Proper disposal helps keep our lakes and rivers clean.
Protects Wildlife: Medications like hormones and antidepressants can disrupt the behavior, reproduction and growth of fish and other wildlife.
Limits Chemical Pollution in Landfills: Throwing pills in the trash can lead to harmful chemicals seeping into soil and groundwater—especially in older landfill sites.

What types of unwanted or expired medications will be collected?

During the event, designated collection sites will accept pills and capsules, including both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Please note that the DEA cannot accept liquids, sharps or needles. The FDA provides information on how to dispose of those items:

How should I prepare for the event?

Locate your convenient drop site location using the DEA’s location finder. Please note these may be law enforcement facilities, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and/or clinics.
Collect all unwanted or expired medications you wish to dispose of.
Remove or redact any personal prescription labeling from packaging to maintain your privacy.
Keep the medications in their original packaging and place within a clear plastic sealed bag.
Store securely until disposal.

What if I can’t make it to the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day?

If you can’t make it to this drug disposal event there’s no need to fret, members of the Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group (PPSWG) have provided a resource called MyOldMeds.com that has a searchable database of over 32,000 disposal sites nationwide.

Proper Use. Proper Storage. Proper Disposal.

Concerning household prescription and over-the-counter medicines the PPSWG recommends the following:

Proper Use – follow package labeling and/or refer to guidance by your healthcare provider.
Proper Storage – follow storage instructions as detailed on the labeling/packaging and keep in a secure location to avoid access by children or pets.
Proper Disposal – when a medication is expired or unwanted, remove any personal prescription labeling to preserve your privacy and dispose of it immediately per local regulations for safe medication disposal.

Let’s take action together. Every pill safely disposed of is a step toward a healthier, safer community. Let’s spread the word about this year’s DEA Drug Take Back Day.