![Pills of varying shapes, sizes and colors spilling out of a pill bottle.](https://hr.umich.edu/sites/default/files/uhr_news_spring_summer_2023_0.png)
Is your medicine cabinet full of expired drugs or medications you no longer use?
Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. This can be dangerous and often tragic. The best way to dispose of these medicines is through a drug take back program.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 22
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to address a crucial public safety and public health issue. It’s a safe, convenient, responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications.
During last years National Take Back, over 360 tons were collected at 5,144 collection sites.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, unused or expired drugs can hurt people, pets and the environment if they are lost, stolen or misused.
The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for you to help prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
Find a Take Back Event Near You
The April 22 Drug Take Back events will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Locate a collection site near you.
Many communities also have their own drug take back programs. Find a DEA-authorized collector in your community.
Visit the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (Michigan OPEN) for additional options for safe opioid disposal.
Keep them safe. Clean them out. Take them back.