The next opportunity to dispose of any unneeded or unwanted medications at a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day collection site will be Saturday, April 27, 2013. On this day, from 10 AM to 2 PM, consumers may safely dispose of unwanted medications at one of thousands of collection sites coordinated by DEA and provided by law enforcement agencies and community organizations in all 50 states and United States jurisdictions. This is the sixth DEA Drug Take-Back Day and helps consumers to prevent drug abuse and misuse in their homes and communities by offering a safe means of disposal for unneeded medications. Additional information and a link to the DEA online collection site locator are available on the AWAR_XE^®  Web site. 

DEA Take-Back Days are a unique opportunity for consumers to safely and legally dispose of unneeded medications, including prescription controlled substances, such as certain pain medications, since the drugs can only be returned to law enforcement personnel. The take-back service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Sites will accept tablets, capsules, and all other solid dosage forms of unwanted medication. Personal information may be blacked out on prescription bottles, or medications may be emptied from the bottles into the bins provided at the events. A total of over 2 million pounds of unwanted medication were collected for safe and secure disposal during the previous five take-back days combined, as indicated in a DEA news release (PDF).