New Yorkers Remove Almost 11,000 Pounds of Unwanted Medications During DEA’s Fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration along with the two New York Divisions, the New York Enforcement Division and the New York Task Force Division, announce the results of DEA's Fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. 

On October 24, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 law enforcement partners collected 645,636 pounds of unused medications as part of ongoing efforts to prevent drug misuse. This event marked DEA’s 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day with 4,212 collection sites nationwide, including 64 tribal locations. 

“Twice a year communities across the country come together for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to help remove unused and unwanted medications from homes, reducing the risk of misuse, accidental poisonings, and overdoses,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “The collection of more than 645,000 pounds of medications this fall reflects the continued commitment of the public and our law enforcement partners to keep families safe.”

In New York, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day consisted of 134 collection sites throughout the state, and collected almost 11,000 pounds of unwanted, expired and/or medications 

“The collection of nearly 11,000 pounds of unwanted prescription medications across New York State demonstrates the tremendous commitment of our communities and law enforcement partners to preventing drug misuse” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Behind every pound collected is an opportunity to prevent accidental poisonings, prescription drug misuse, and potentially fatal overdoses. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is more than a collection effort. It’s about working together to keep dangerous medications out of the wrong hands, protect our families, and save lives.”

“The fight against drug misuse doesn’t begin on the streets. It begins inside our own homes, with something as simple as cleaning out a medicine cabinet,” stated DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “Unused prescription medications can become a gateway to misuse, addiction, and tragedy when they fall into the wrong hands. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day demonstrates the power of prevention and the importance of working together to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. One small action today can prevent a devastating loss tomorrow.”

Since 2010, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has collected 21,679,861 pounds of unused, unwanted, and expired medications – the equivalent of more than 10,840 tons – to help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental overdoses and poisonings. 

More than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, businesses, and many police departments offer safe medication disposal year-round.  For information on permanent drop boxes, visit DEA’s Every Day is Take Back Day webpage.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day results are available at Take Back Day. Safe disposal of unused medications remains one of the simplest ways communities can help prevent drug misuse.