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October 2023 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back the Drugs Day
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.
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.
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.
Related Links
- Glossary
- Emergency Events & Public Interests
- Pain Management
- "What Should I Do With Unused Medications?"
