Keeping NH Families Safe: How to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

Did you know that most young people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family or friends—often right from the medicine cabinet? National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important reminder for New Hampshire (NH) families to take simple but powerful steps to safely dispose of medications and reduce the risk of misuse.

This spring’s Take Back Day is Saturday, April 26, 2025. Communities across NH will be hosting collection sites where you can safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired medications.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare for Drug Take Back Day in NH

1. Gather Your Unused Medications
   Check your medicine cabinets, drawers, and kitchen shelves for:

• Prescription medications (including pills, patches, liquids, or creams)
• Over-the-counter medications you no longer use, including items like vitamins and cough syrup
• Medications for your pets
• Vaping devices and cartridges (must remove the batteries first)

2. Remove Personal Information
   Before dropping off any medication:

• Keep medication in its original container if possible. Remove the label or cross out your name and personal information with a permanent marker.

3. Find a Drop-Off Location Near You
   Visit DEA’s Collection Site Locator, NH DHHS’s Prescription Drug Box Initiative, or check with your local police department or pharmacy—many in NH participate as official drop-off sites.

Tip: Some locations accept medications year-round at secure drop boxes!

4. Drop Off Your Meds on Saturday, April 26th
   Visit a local drop-off site on National Take Back Day to safely hand over your medications—no questions asked. It’s quick, free, and anonymous.

What Not to Bring

Take Back Day does not accept:

• Needles/sharps
• Inhalers
• Aerosol cans
• Thermometers
• Illegal drugs
• Vaping devices containing lithium ion batteries

For guidance on how to safely dispose of these items, check with your local pharmacy, transfer station, or visit NH Department of Environmental Services for more information on proper disposal.

Always check your local collection site for details before heading out.

Prevention Starts at Home

Even after National Take Back Day, there are simple steps NH families can take to keep medications secure and protect young people at home:

• Store medications securely—preferably in a locked cabinet or container, up high and out of reach.
• Talk to your kids early and often about the risks of misusing prescription drugs.
• Dispose regularly—even if it’s not Take Back Day, don’t wait until your medications pile up. Dispose of them when they are no longer being used or are expired.
• Be a role model by using medications responsibly and only as prescribed.

Let’s work together to make our homes—and communities—safer.
Join thousands of Granite Staters in taking action this National Drug Take Back Day. For more information on how to prevent substance misuse and keep youth safe, we invite you to explore the resources throughout our website.