National Drug Take Back (NDTB) Day is coming up on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. NDTB day is a free, safe, anonymous, and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs as one of the many measures to prevent opioids and prescription medication misuse within communities. It is hosted in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), local law enforcement, and community partners. In October 2025, 48 collection sites across Washington collected a combined total of 3,963 pounds of unused prescription medications.
There are numerous ways you and/or your community can get involved this April! Here’s how:
- Host a take back collection event in coordination with a local law enforcement agency.
- The partnering law enforcement agency must email DEA or call DPS Emily Negley at 571-387-3271 to register.
- Join a take back collection event near you! Visit the DEA’s Collection Site Locator page and enter your location information.
- Help spread the word by sharing Take Back Day education and awareness resources:
- DEA’s NDTB Day partnership toolbox
- HCA's Starts with One opioid misuse prevention campaign's safe disposal toolkit
In Washington state, we recognize that every day can be Take Back Day! If you are not able to participate on the day of NDTB Day to dispose of unused or expired medications, there are a multitude of ways to do so in Washington:
- Visit a permanent safe disposal kiosk or location near you on the WA safe medication return (SMR) website.
- Order a free and safe mail-back envelope by visiting WA's SMR website and selecting the "Order Mail-Back Supplies" button.
- Spread the message about the SMR program through materials that can be ordered through Department of Health (DOH) or downloaded from its SMR website, in the "More Safe Medication Return information and resources" accordion.