Category: Medicine

Information related to doctors, nursing, hospitals, medical references, and alternative medicine.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: 30 April 2022

Cynthia A. Lockley on

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April 2022 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back the Drugs Day

The logo for the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 30 April 2022, is a red and blue pill capsule with the words "Take Back" on the side.

The DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, is having a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on 30 April 2022. 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.

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

Photo of a large layout of medicine bottles, bags of pills, and other medical supplies.

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

Public Year Round Pharmaceutical Disposal Locations

This is a background photo of pill bottles and scattered pills on a table with the words: "Search for Year Round Pharmaceutical Disposal Locations" on it.

DEA Authorized Collectors provide year round drop off locations to the public to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals. 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 using the Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations – Search Utility.

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.