Attorney General James Urges New Yorkers to Participate in National Prescription Drug Takeback Day

October 23, 2026

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined law enforcement officials from across the state in encouraging New Yorkers to participate in National Prescription Drug Takeback Day on Saturday, October 24. Local law enforcement agencies will be hosting approximately 100 collection events across the state for New Yorkers to safely and conveniently dispose of their unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications, including opioids. These events, hosted in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), help protect communities by preventing prescription drugs from being misused, diverted for illegal resale, or accidentally ingested. New Yorkers can find their nearest collection site and more information about safe drug disposal online.

"Unused prescription drugs that pile up in New Yorkers' homes pose real threats to our families and communities," said Attorney General James. "National Prescription Drug Takeback Day is a safe, convenient, and easy way to dispose of unwanted and expired medications. I encourage all New Yorkers to find their closest collection event and clean out their medicine cabinets to keep their families safe."

Prescription drug collection events hosted by local law enforcement agencies will take place throughout New York on October 24. These events will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription medications, as well as liquid medications securely sealed in their original containers. Syringes, other sharp devices, and illicit drugs will not be accepted at these events. Nationwide, prescription drug collection events collectively recover hundreds of thousands of pounds of medications and other materials each year. In 2025, prescription drug collections in New York recovered more than 12,000 pounds of material over the course of the year.

"The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police strongly supports National Prescription Drug Take Back Day as an important opportunity to protect our families and communities," said Patrick Phelan, Executive Director of The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police. "Properly disposing of unused or expired medications helps prevent accidental overdoses, prescription drug misuse, and the diversion of potentially dangerous substances. We encourage all New Yorkers to take advantage of this free, safe, and convenient opportunity to make their homes and communities safer."

"Unused prescription drugs pose a serious risk that can bring tragic consequences if they end up in the wrong hands," said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. "My office sees firsthand the devastating impact of substance abuse disorders. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides an opportunity to reduce addiction by allowing individuals to discard medication, including opioids, safely and securely. I encourage Bronx residents to check their cabinets and find the closest participating site. I thank Attorney General James for highlighting the importance of this initiative."

"National Prescription Drug Takeback Day allows for a convenient, safe, and environmentally friendly method to get rid of unwanted medication, so I encourage New Yorkers to take a few minutes this Saturday and stop at one of the many collection sites," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. "It's a small act that can help keep our families and communities safer, and I'm grateful for Attorney General James and all the law-enforcement partners who make these events possible."

"I encourage Columbia County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to remove potentially dangerous drugs from their houses. Prescription drug abuse continues to endanger lives," said Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant. "Please do the responsible thing and dispose of these drugs responsibly at the Village of Chatham Police Department from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24."

"Preventing drug abuse and overdose begins long before a crime is committed or a life is lost," said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi. "Unused prescription medications, particularly opioids, can easily fall into the wrong hands, putting our children, families, and communities at risk. National Prescription Drug Takeback Day is a simple but important opportunity for every household to help prevent addiction, accidental overdoses, and the illegal diversion of prescription drugs. I commend Attorney General James, the DEA, and our law enforcement partners for their continued commitment to this effort. Keeping dangerous drugs off our streets and out of our homes is a responsibility we all share."

"National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity to help protect our families and communities by safely disposing of unused or expired medications," said Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane. "Prescription drugs left unsecured at home can be misused, diverted for illegal sale, or contribute to addiction, which can have far-reaching consequences for public safety. I encourage all Erie County residents to take a few minutes to clean out their medicine cabinets. Proper disposal is a simple but meaningful step we can all take to prevent prescription drug misuse, reduce drug-related crime and help keep our neighborhoods safe."

"National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important reminder that protecting our communities often starts right in our own homes," said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. "Unused and expired prescription medications can fall into the wrong hands, contribute to addiction, or lead to accidental overdoses. Taking a few minutes to properly dispose of these medications is a simple step that can prevent tragedy and save lives. I commend Attorney General Letitia James and our law enforcement partners for their continued efforts to keep dangerous drugs off our streets and out of our homes. Safe streets and strong communities begin with prevention."

"National Prescription Drug Takeback Day is a great way to keep your home and community safe. You also get to clear out that medicine cabinet of old unused - and potentially dangerous - drugs," said Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy. "These old unused prescription drugs will be safely disposed of with no ill-effects on our groundwater, soil, or landfills-and no one can accidentally ingest them. I urge everyone to take advantage of this excellent program."

"I thank Attorney General James for getting the word out about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day," said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. "It is an opportunity for New Yorkers to clean out their medicine cabinets safely. Unwanted prescriptions will be accepted at over 100 pharmacies in Queens this Saturday, no questions asked. By taking this simple action, residents can proactively prevent accidental overdoses, keep drugs off our streets and save lives."

"Unused opioids, even those that have been legally dispensed for a legitimate purpose, often end up in the hands of vulnerable individuals, which can start or feed a potentially deadly addiction," said Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly. "We have a community responsibility to make sure that these dangerous substances are properly disposed of."

"Unused prescription medications left unsecured in medicine cabinets or drawers can fall into the wrong hands, be misused, or become a gateway to the misuse of prescription drugs and other dangerous substances," said Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon. "By safely disposing of these medications, we can help prevent misuse, reduce the risk of addiction, and protect our children, families, and neighbors. At the Staten Island District Attorney's Office, we are proud to support this outstanding initiative alongside our law enforcement and community partners. I encourage all Staten Islanders to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, clean out their medicine cabinets, and properly dispose of medications they no longer need at any one of our thirteen safe disposal sites. It is a small step that can make a real difference. Every pill safely disposed of is one less opportunity for misuse. Together, we can continue working to prevent addiction, save lives, and protect the health and safety of our community."

"The Rockland County District Attorney's Office proudly supports this initiative, along with our local pharmacies and law enforcement," said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. "An often overlooked danger in our own homes is the expired prescription drugs that can be found in not only medicine cabinets but also in cupboards as well as various other locations throughout the home. This initiative provides a vital reminder of these dangers as well as convenient locations for proper disposal. The safety of all residents is always a top priority, and we urge all residents to take part on October 24th at your nearest drop-off location."

"Safely disposing of unused prescription medications is a small step that can make a meaningful difference in protecting our families and our community," said Saratoga County District Attorney Brett R. Eby. "I encourage all Saratoga County residents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and help us reduce the risks of prescription drug misuse and accidental poisoning."

"Events like these are essential to protecting our communities and preventing the misuse of prescription medications, which can lead to harmful consequences and overdoses," said Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace. "We encourage all New Yorkers, especially Westchester County residents, to check their medicine cabinets, find the nearest collection site, and safely dispose of any unneeded, expired, or unused medication with law enforcement."