With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration announces its 20th Take Back Day is scheduled for April 24th. At its last Take Back Day in October, DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential.
DEA DRUG TAKE BACK DAY CALIFORNIA DRUG TAKE BACK PROGRAM
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.
The public can drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.
Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.
Learn more from the California Product Stewardship Council at www.takebackdrugs.org.
How does it work?
Follow these 3 easy steps:
At home, remove pills and other solid medications from their containers and consolidate in a clear plastic zipper bag. Keep liquid and cream medication tightly sealed in their original containers. (NOTE – keep medications in their child-proof container until just prior to drop off).
Remove, mark out, or otherwise obscure personal information from solid and liquid/cream medication containers to protect your personal information. Recycle containers for solid medications in your household recycling.
Bring zipper bag and any liquids/creams to a bin location and place in the bin – It’s that easy!
Note: Medications should remain in the original child-proof container until just prior to drop-off.
What can I put in the med bin?
Prescription medications – only certain locations accept Schedule II to V Controlled Substance medications. Please check the bin locations map for information about what types of medications each site can accept
Over-the-counter medications
Medicated ointments and lotions (leave tightly sealed in original containers)
Pet medications
See list of accepted substances below
Note: Learn more about what you CANNOT put in the bin at the Take Back Drugs website. Schedule II to V Controlled Substance medications are prescribed medications that are strictly regulated because they have a high potential for abuse and/or can cause harm when ingested by the wrong person. To check if your medication is a controlled substance, please click here.
Learn more about the California Product Stewardship Council on their website.
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