Take Back Your Meds is a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to safely dispose of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines. These medicines, when thrown away or flushed down the toilet, can be retrieved and abused or sold to others, or they may end up in waterways and potentially harm aquatic life.Check this out :takebackyourmeds.org

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in the United States, and many people who misuse drugs obtain them from friends or relatives, including their own medicine cabinet. Unused or outdated medications are a source of these illicit drugs and can be easily accessible to children and pets. Medicines thrown away or flushed down the drain are also a significant cause of accidental poisonings and overdoses.

Beyond the Trash Can: Exploring Alternatives for Medication Disposal

The best way to dispose of unused or expired medicines is to bring them to a national medication take-back event or to a permanent (year-round) Controlled Substance Public Disposal Location. DEA offers these services in partnership with local law enforcement and community organizations.

You can also find information about local collection events, permanent drop-off locations, and general instructions for disposal on the DEA’s website. For more details, please see the DEA’s medication disposal FAQs.

For medicines that cannot be dropped off at a DEA-sponsored medication take-back program, you can mix them with an unpalatable substance, such as dirt, used coffee grounds, or kitty litter, and then put them in the trash. Remove or mark out any identifying information on pill bottle labels before throwing them away. You can also check with your local pharmacy or law enforcement to see if they have a drug disposal program.