National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Postponed

WASHINGTON – The upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2020 is postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  DEA will reschedule Take Back Day for a date shortly after the health crisis recedes and national emergency guidelines are lifted.

The health and safety of our communities is a top priority for DEA.  Given the overwhelming public response to past Take Back events and the anticipated large turnout for April’s event, DEA determined it would be prudent to suspend the event until safety concerns are mitigated.  During this time, those seeking safe drug disposal options are encouraged to visit the DEA Diversion Control Division locator page.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety from accidental poisonings and groundwater contamination.

This recurring one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse and provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

• The program is free & anonymous.
• Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.
• Liquid medications - cough medicine with codeine and other over-the-counter liquid medications accepted.
• Injectables (pre-loaded with medication) and needles/sharps/syringes will not be accepted.
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

For more information, please visit the National Take-Back Initiative website or the State of Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General (media release page). Unsure of which location is closest to you?  Try the DEA National Drug Take-Back Initiative Collection Site Search service.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day website
National Take-Back Initiative collection event media release
State of Hawai‘i Attorney General Office Announcement with locations & times informational flyer
Hawai‘i Police Department Announcement of Drug Take-Back Initiative (TBA)