Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in metro Atlanta: residents can drop off unused or expired medications at free, anonymous collection sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is hosting its 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day today, Saturday, October 24, 2026. More than 4,400 collection sites nationwide, partnered with over 4,300 law enforcement agencies, are accepting unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day 2026: What To Know
The goal is simple: keep potentially dangerous drugs out of the wrong hands, reduce risks of accidental poisoning or misuse, and protect the environment from improper disposal like flushing or trashing them.
DEA Administrator Terry Cole noted that since the program began in 2010, Take Back Day has helped remove more than 20 million pounds of unneeded medications from homes. Previous events in Georgia have collected thousands of pounds—for example, the region has contributed significantly to national totals like the 571,000 pounds gathered in one recent fall event. Most people who misuse prescription drugs obtain them from family or friends, so clearing medicine cabinets is a practical prevention step. Prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine are among the most frequently misused pain medications.
What to Bring (and What Not To)
Accepted items generally include tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription medications, as well as liquid medications that are securely sealed in their original containers. Some local sites also accept over-the-counter medications, pet medications, creams, ointments, and vials. No questions are asked, and no personal information or ID is required. Participants are often encouraged (but not always required) to remove or obscure personal information from labels for privacy.
Not accepted: syringes, sharps, needles, illicit drugs, or in some cases inhalers, aerosols, or certain other items. Rules can vary slightly by site, so check details for your location. Medications can typically stay in their containers. After collection, law enforcement handles the materials for secure disposal, usually by incineration.
Metro Atlanta Collection Sites
Sites are operated by local law enforcement and partners. Here are several confirmed locations in the metro area for today’s event (10 a.m.–2 p.m. unless noted). Always verify on the day, as sites can change:
Cobb County (Keep Cobb Beautiful / Cobb County Police partnership)
- Precinct One, 2380 Cobb Pkwy NW, Kennesaw
- C. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 South Hurt Rd NW, Smyrna
- Mountain View Regional Library (lower parking lot), 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta (new location)
Kennesaw
- Outside Kennesaw City Hall, 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave, Kennesaw (anonymous drop-off handled by trained personnel)
Johns Creek
- Kroger, 10945 State Bridge Road (near State Bridge and Jones Bridge roads; Johns Creek Police participating; no needles)
Decatur
- Drive-through at Decatur City Hall, 402 Lee Street Northeast (hosted by Decatur Police Department and the Partnership for a Drug-Free Community)
Douglasville
- Drive-thru in front of the Douglasville Police Department, 2083 Fairburn Road (liquids and pills accepted in original containers or clear bags for pills; no sharps or inhalers)
Other nearby options
Sites have also been announced in areas such as Newnan (Coweta County Sheriff’s Office Precinct 1 and Newnan Police Department) and Riverdale. Kroger and other pharmacies have participated in past events in the metro area with law enforcement outside stores.
Important: This is not a complete list. Collection sites are added daily. Residents should use the official DEA locator at DEATakeBack.com or takebackday.dea.gov—search by ZIP code, city, or county—to find the nearest registered site and confirm details before heading out. Sites are typically at police stations, community centers, pharmacies, or similar public locations and run until 2 p.m. local time.
Year-Round Options
If you miss today’s window, permanent disposal options exist. More than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, businesses, and police departments nationwide offer year-round drop boxes or collection (DEA “Every Day is Take Back Day”). Fulton County, for example, lists permanent drug disposal boxes at locations including police departments, courthouses, and other facilities. Check the DEA’s year-round locator or contact local pharmacies and law enforcement for details. Do not flush medications or throw them in regular trash when better options are available.
Taking a few minutes to clean out a medicine cabinet is one of the easiest ways Atlanta-area residents can help reduce prescription drug misuse, protect children and pets, and support safer communities. For the latest site information, visit DEATakeBack.com or contact local police or public health departments.