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  2. National Opioids Crisis: Help and R…
  3. Prevention
  4. How to Safely Dispose of Drugs
  • Opioids: Help and Resources
    • Prevention
      • How to Safely Dispose of Drugs
      • Pain Management Options
      • Safe Opioid Prescribing
      • Prevention Programs and Tools
    • Treatment
      • How Do Medications Treat Opioid Addiction?
      • Does Insurance Cover Treatment for Opioid Overdose?
      • How to Respond to an Opioid Overdose
      • What Are Drug Courts?
      • Resources for Opioid Treatment Providers
    • Recovery
      • Recovery Resources
    • Statistics, Facts, and Strategy Response
      • Facts and Statistics

How to Safely Dispose of Drugs

You can dispose of unneeded medicines through a drug take back program — or you can do it at home.

Find a safe disposal location

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue.

Find a Year-Round Drug Disposal Location
DEA provides a tool for locating drug disposal locations near you.

Learn about safe storage and disposal

Storing Medication Away from Children
Tips for finding the best place to store medicines up and away and out of sight of young children.

Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know
Although some medications are safe to throw away at home, learn how to properly dispose of your expired prescriptions.

  • Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines
  • How to Properly Dispose of Your Unused Medicines

Need help?

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SAMHSA National Helpline

Get treatment referral and information about mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention, and recovery.

Call 1-800-662-4357
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FindTreatment.gov

Millions of Americans have mental and substance use disorders. Find a comprehensive list of certified treatment programs across the United States.

Find treatment near you
Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD)
Content last reviewed January 23, 2026
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