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By the Numbers: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Every year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) organizes two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days – one in April and one in October. Each Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications.

DEA National Prescription Take Back Day logo

Many Michigan law enforcement agencies participate by offering drop-off locations throughout the state.

To find additional, year-round drop-off locations that accept medications, supplements, and/or needles/sharps, go to Michigan.gov/EGLEDrugDisposal and search EGLE’s Household Drug Take Back Web Map.

Here are the statistics from the two 2024 DEA collection events in Michigan:

April 2024

Law enforcement participation: 270

Total collection sites: 201

Total weight collected: 22,143 pounds

Total weight all time: 468,105 pounds

October 2024

Law enforcement participation: 272

Total collection sites: 201

Total weight collected: 21,328 pounds

Total weight all time: 489,433 pounds

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