The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and participating local law enforcement are coordinating a nationwide drug “take-back” day on April 26th.åÊ This one-day event will provide residents with no cost anonymous collection of unwanted and expired medicines. Click here to find a DEA collection site near you.
For the safety of our kids,åÊfamiliesåÊand environment, some communities, pharmacies, and law enforcement are paying for temporary ongoingåÊtake-back programs to help you properly dispose of unwanted and expired medicines in your homes until a permanent statewide program is in place. Click here to find a temporary ongoing take-back program.åÊ Experts agree: Take-back programs are the first choice. Law enforcement, public health, and environmental professionals stand united in support of take-back programs, such as the DEAÛªs take-back event on Saturday, April 26th, as the safest and most responsible way to dispose ofåÊunwanted and expiredåÊmedicines to protect your family and to protect our waters. Although needed, events like this arenÛªt a permanent solution. The DEAÛªs National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day is a great one-time opportunity, but it provides only a band-aid solution to an ongoing need. Year-round programs are required to ensure families in Washington have ongoing access to safe disposal of unwanted and expired medicines.