30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
Published on:
April 23, 2026
Twice a year, DEA joins forces with local law enforcement and community groups to host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Photo contributed.
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GREENE COUNTY―The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will host the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at nearly 4,200 locations nationwide.
Locally, this includes the Greene County Sheriff's Office in Coxsackie and at Hannaford Plaza with the Town of Cairo Police Department.
Twice a year, DEA joins forces with local law enforcement and community groups to host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, giving the public a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired and unused prescription medications.
“Removing unused and expired medications from your home and disposing of them properly is a simple but powerful step in preventing prescription drug misuse,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole.
“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a critical public safety initiative that we have hosted for 16 years. Its continued success is due, in large part, to our local and state law enforcement and community partners who continue to stand with us to make our communities safe,” Cole added.
Since 2010, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided an easy and accessible way to dispose of medications that could pose a threat if misused. Over the past 16 years, National Prescription Take Back Day has removed more than 20 million pounds of unwanted medications from communities across the United States.
Opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most misused prescription pain medications, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should be securely sealed in their original container. Syringes, sharps, or illicit drugs are not collected.
For those unable to participate in this month’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal year-round. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes.
