Drug Database
Find out as much as you can about illegal and legal drugs and their effects on your body and brain. The more informed you are, the more confidently you can make the right decision about drugs.
Welcome
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
Collection Site Locator
Locate a Collection Site Near You
Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
These PSAs are meant to encourage participation in DEA's Take Back Day and to educate viewers about the importance of disposing of any unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications in your house.
Secure Your Meds
Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs.
National Take Back Day Results
Results: October 2020 19th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,153
- Total Collection Sites: 4,587
- Total Weight* Collected: 985,392 lbs. (492.7 Tons)
*Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.
Click here for additional details about the 19th National Take Back Day.
Results: October 2019 18th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,896
- Total Collection Sites: 6,174
- Total Weight Collected: 882,919 lbs. (441.5 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 18th National Take Back Day.
Results: April 2019 17th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,969
- Total Collection Sites: 6,258
- Total Weight Collected: 937,443 lbs. (468.72 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 17th National Take Back Day.
Results: October 2018 16th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,770
- Total Collection Sites: 5,839
- Total Weight Collected: 914,236 lbs. (457.12 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 16th National Take Back Day.
Results: April 2018 15th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,683
- Total Collection Sites: 5,842
- Total Weight Collected: 949,046 lbs. (474.5 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 15th National Take Back Day.
Results: April 2017 13th National Take Back Day
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,223
- Total Collection Sites: 5,498
- Total Weight Collected: 900,386 lbs. (450 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 13th National Take Back Day.
Results: October 2017 14th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,274
- Total Collection Sites: 5,321
- Total Weight Collected: 912,305 lbs. (456 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 14th National Take Back Day.
Results: April 2016 11th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,264
- Total Collection Sites: 5,359
- Total Weight Collected: 893,498 lbs. (447 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 11th National Take Back Day.
Results: October 2016 12th National Take Back
- Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,018
- Total Collection Sites: 5,178
- Total Weight Collected: 731,269 lbs. (365.6 Tons)
Click here for additional details about the 12th National Take Back Day.
Other Resources
Unused Medicines
Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
Drug Scheduling
Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential.
Year-Round Drug Disposal
Missed Take Back Day? Click here to locate an authorized collector in your area.
Partnership Toolbox
Download posters, handouts and other materials to promote National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Law Enforcement Agencies
For law enforcement agencies that wish to host a collection site, please click here to find the POC in your area.
Treatment Information
Treatment Services Locator
You can use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator (a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories) to find resources in your area.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can can help some people struggling with addiction sustain recovery.
Treatment should include access to the medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options of methadone, buprenorphine, or extended-release naltrexone, which are effective for both prescription opioid and heroin addiction.
Naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly binds to opioid receptors, blocking heroin from activating them. An appropriate dose of naloxone acts in less than two minutes and completely eliminates all signs of opioid intoxication to reverse an opioid overdose. Between 1996 and 2014, naloxone reportedly reversed over 26,000 overdoses.
Narcan can be used on both adults and children and can be administered by first responders, family members, or caregivers.
