U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back the Drugs Days
The DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, is having a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on 22 April 2023. This day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Next Take Back Day: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Public Year Round Pharmaceutical Disposal Locations
The DEA has a National Take Back Day twice a year where temporary disposal sites are set up across the nation. If you miss one of the designated days for the National Take Back day, you may drop off your unwanted drugs and vaping materials with the following public disposal authorized collectors.
- Police departments
- Pharmacies, including independent and chains
- Fire stations
- Hospitals
- Municipal buildings
Download the nationwide list of public disposal locations. The file is created on a daily basis and lists all active year round pharmaceutical disposal locations registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
You can also search for year round disposal locations near you using the Drug Disposal Locator Tool . It includes more than 10,000 of these locations nationwide. Search using your zip code to find a permanent disposal box near you, as well as the facility's hours, directions, and accepted medications.
On 21 November 2021, the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day brought in over 745,000 pounds of expired, unneeded medications and vaping products during the continuous fight against the opioid epidemic.
Locate a Collection Site Near You in the D.C. Metropolitan Area
In the metropolitan Washington, D.C. – Baltimore area, there are drop-off boxes at various CVS Pharmacies, Johns Hopkins Hospital affiliates, police departments, pharmacies, including independent and chains, fire stations, hospitals, and municipal buildings.
To find a convenient disposal location near you, including select CVS locations, visit https://safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal/.
There are seven participating pharmacy locations with Johns Hopkins Hospital affiliates.
Acceptable Items By Johns Hopkins Hospital Locations
Medications can be brought in their original containers. If the original containers are not available, medications are also accepted in bags and other containers. Any identifying information on the containers will be removed after donation. Before donating please check the accepted items at each location:
- Sibley Memorial Hospital: tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, e-cigarettes, and vape pens (NO sharps)
- Bayview Medical Center, Howard County General Hospital, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Green Spring Station, and Suburban Hospital: tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, e-cigarettes, vape pens, and sharps
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital: tablets and capsules only
Law Enforcement Agencies Only:
For law enforcement agencies that wish to host a collection site, please call the Law Enforcement Agencies' Point of Contact (POC) in your area.
Home Disposal Methods
The DEA's Drug Disposal Information page provides Home Disposal Information about how to dispose of old medicines, vaping, and marijuana materials along with Federal rules and regulations for disposal.
How to Dispose of Medicines Properly (.pdf) by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Updated
Partnership Toolbox
Download posters, handouts, digital billboards, and other materials from the Partnership Toolbox page to promote National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.