National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Oct. 28, 2023

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day banner shows various pills and capsules being dropped into an open box from a zip-lock type plastic bag.

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October 2023 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 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is having a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This event provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for misuse of medications.

What You Can Dispose Of

Here is a complete list of acceptable items for disposal in the bins:

  • Pills, tablets, capsules – Loose pills must be placed in a zip-top bag before placing in the bin. Bags can be obtained from the pharmacy.
  • Ointments
  • Creams
  • Lotions
  • Powders
  • Liquid medicines – no more than 4 oz. (120ml) – Liquid medications must be in their original containers, wrapped in a paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag before placing in the container. 

Contact your local community’s household hazardous waste department for information on proper disposal of medications not on the list.

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 Safe Pharmacy at https://safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal/.

Johns Hopkins Participation

Johns Hopkins Medicine participates in the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Drive up and drop off unused or expired prescription medications and our staff will dispose of them for you safely. See participating locations below.

This event is open to employees, patients and the public. The participating sites include:

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:

  • Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
  • Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Green Spring Station
  • The Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
  • Sibley Memorial Hospital
  • Suburban Hospital

You Don't Have to Wait

Public Year Round Pharmaceutical Disposal Locations

You don't have to wait for a Drug Take-Back event to dispose of unwanted medication.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Partnership Toolbox

Download posters, handouts, digital billboards, and other materials from the Partnership Toolbox page to promote National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.


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STC IDL SIG & WDCB Fall Frightfest MiniConference: What scares you?

It’s the STC IDL SIG & WDCB Fall Frightfest MiniConference. Come and talk about what scares you and how you faced it down.

STC IDL SIG & WDCB Fall Frightfest MiniConference: What scares you and how you faced it down

When? October 21, 2023

  • 10:30 am – 16:30 ET
  • 09:30 am – 15:30 CT
  • 08:30 am – 14:30 MT
  • 07:30 am – 13:30 PT

Where? Zoom (of course)

Come and talk about what scares you and how you faced it down.

We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker will be Phylise Banner, a recognized superhero and pioneer in the LX design space. Read more about Banner on her website and share in our excitement.

Our day will be both educational and fun. Grab your Zoom-friendly Halloween costume, play a few warmup games, and maybe even win a prize.

Registration prices:

  • Free to Students, academics, retirees, volunteers and presenters (to volunteer, email email hidden; JavaScript is required)
  • STC IDL SIG Members $5.00
  • STC Members $20.00
  • NonMembers $40.00

Schedule of Eerie educational sessions with nightmarish networking breaks (All times Eastern)

  • 10:30 am – Grisly games and intimidating intros with Villainous Viqui Dill
  • 11:00 am – Killer Keynote with Phrightful Phylise Banner
  • 11:45 am – “Caldron Bubble: Incorporating Cookbook Design Elements into Technical Documentation” with Jittery Jamye Sagan
  • 12:30 pm – Buzzworthy BioBreak #1
  • 12:45 pm – “Somebody’s Watching Me: Make Presenting on Zoom Not-So-Scary” with Rogue Rachel Eichen
  • 1:30 pm – “Are your presentations frightfully ineffective? Let’s do better.” with Terrifying Traci Nathans-Kelly, Ph.D
  • 2:15 pm – Bewildering Break #2
  • 2:30 pm – “We Need New Blood: Creating Video Content” with Murderous Maralee Sautter
  • 3:15 pm – “Supercharge your Documentation through Storytelling Superpowers” with Alex Hale
  • 4:00 pm – Beastly BioBreak #3 to get in costume
  • 4:20 pm – Wicked Wrapup and Chilling costume prizes: Villainous Viqui Dill
  • 5:00 pm – Go home happy!

Read descriptions of the presentations and presenter bios on our Miniconference Portal page and sign up to join us on October 21 for a day of tech comm goodness.

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First Advantage Summit Registration Has Been EXTENDED to Monday, 7 November!

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Good News

There's still time to get the Early Bird (First Advantage) registration rate for the 2023 Summit.

The First Advantage Summit Registration Has Been EXTENDED to Monday, 7
November 2023!
. Now you have even more time to SAVE BIG with STC's BEST RATE when you register for the premier education conference for technical communicators by Monday, 7 November!

The theme of the 2023 Summit, taking place in Atlanta, GA, 14 to 17 May, is The "How to" Conference: Learn Well through Show and Tell.

In addition to the top-notch educational programming, the Summit will also feature a Welcome Reception, inspiring keynote speakers, an Honors Event to celebrate the achievements of STC members, and so much more.

Save Even More as an STC Member

Non-STC members pay a higher rate for the Summit. Join or Renew your STC membership Now to save even more! When you join STC for 2023, you'll receive the rest of 2022 for FREE! Bonus! Plus get the STC rate for the Summit.

Please note: After joining STC as a member, it may take 24–48 hours to activate in STC's system. If you still can't register as a member for the 2023 Summit after 48 hours, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required.


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