Safe medication disposal can play a vital role in preventing drug misuse, protecting children, and improving environmental health.1,2 In Georgia, several options are available for safely disposing of unused or expired prescriptions to protect yourself and others.3 Read on to learn more about legal drug disposal options and Georgia’s specific laws regarding the safe disposal of medication or contact our Atlanta addiction treatment center to get treatment for prescription drug addiction.
Why Proper Medication Disposal Matters
Leftover medications can pose significant risks to the public and the environment if they’re improperly disposed of.1 A growing public safety concern, recent research has revealed that the U.S. water supply is contaminated with trace pharmaceuticals.1 Over time, common but improper disposal methods, such as flushing unused medications down the toilet or the drain, have led to the presence of pharmaceuticals in freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide.1,2
Improper medication disposal can also lead to substance misuse or accidental consumption. Throwing medications in the household trash makes them easy for others to access and misuse. Furthermore, improperly discarding medications can heighten the risk of unintentional or accidental consumption and overdose, especially among children.2
Safe medication disposal can help prevent these common risks and protect our health and the environment.2 The federal government has enacted laws and procedures to discourage outdated drug disposal methods.1 These include access to drug drop boxes and other prescription take-back options.1
Georgia Laws on Medication Disposal
Georgia follows the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) rules for the disposal of controlled substances.3 The state supports prescription take-back programs through law enforcement, pharmacies, hospitals, and some businesses.4 Georgia state-supported recommends include three options for safely disposing of prescription medications: disposal, drug drop box, and mail-back.3
Drug drop boxes are readily available throughout over 150 counties in Georgia.3 You can find these effective and secure tools in many police and sheriff’s departments. If you have wondered how to dispose of expired drugs, the state of Georgia also allows for mailing unused or expired prescriptions.3
Additionally, you can use self-disposal methods, such as discarding medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. Still, Georgia’s laws don’t recommend flushing most medications. Self-disposal is only encouraged for drugs that specifically mention this method as safe on their label or patient instructions.3
It’s vital for those struggling with AUD and their loved ones to know that there is help available for this disease. Specialized treatments and lifestyle changes enable individuals to live meaningful lives free from alcohol addiction’s grip. With proper rehabilitative care from trusted professionals like those at Empowered Recovery Center, individuals can learn how to maintain sobriety and find fulfillment in recovery.
Where to Find Drug Disposal Locations in Atlanta
You can easily find a drug disposal site near you by using the DEA’s online search tool. Just search “DEA drug disposal near me” or “safe medication disposal kiosk near me.” Then click on the DEA Diversion Control website. Enter your zip code or city and state to discover the closest year-round location.
Georgia’s official government website and its Department of Public Health (DPH) offer several resources to learn more about safe medication disposal and nearby options.5 An online interactive map listing prescription drug drop box locations throughout each county is also available on the Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative’s website.6
Secure medication disposal locations are available at popular pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS, as well as at police departments, hospitals, and businesses throughout the states, including Atlanta.4
What Not to Do When Disposing of Medications
You can avoid common mistakes when disposing of medications, helping protect your family, the community, and the environment. Using medication take-back options, like drug drop boxes, is the best way to dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescriptions safely.3
Improper disposal can pose significant risks, including misuse, accidental consumption, and contamination of the water supply.1,2 While some medications explicitly allow these disposal methods on their labels, you generally should avoid:3
- Throwing prescriptions in the trash
- Flushing medications down the toilet
- Rinsing pills or liquid medicines down the drain
Mail-Back and Home Disposal Kits
If you can’t get to a drug drop box location in your area, pharmacies in Georgia also provide access to mail-back and home disposal kits for unused or expired prescriptions. Many pharmacies sell legally approved envelopes that allow you to dispose of unwanted medications and mail them to a secure collection site.3
When purchasing any home medication disposal kit or mail-back envelope, be sure to verify that it is officially certified and approved by the DEA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Postal Service.3 Using uncertified products can be unsafe. They may result in improper disposal, putting people and the environment at risk.
Atlanta Drug Take Back Initiatives and Events
The DEA hosts national Drug Take Back Days twice a year, in April and October. These events encourage citizens nationwide to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of unused or expired medications safely at local collection sites.7
At the latest October 2025 Take Back Day, the Atlanta Division of the DEA partnered with 188 law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia and the Carolinas. This event removed 25,430 pounds of unwanted and expired prescriptions from homes in Georgia and the Carolinas in October alone.4
If you missed this year’s Take Back Days in Atlanta, you can still participate any day of the year. The DEA provides a site locator to find the closest site for safely disposing of unused medications year-round.4
Prescription Drug Addiction Recovery in Atlanta
Starting the road to recovery can open the doors to ongoing support and potentially life-changing care. Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta offers several levels of addiction treatment to meet you where you are in your journey. Our outpatient programs provide a personalized approach with your recovery goals and unique needs at the forefront.
Our team can answer any questions and help you understand the steps to getting admitted to rehab in Atlanta. We’ll work with you to explore ways to cover the cost of rehab, including using insurance for treatment. If you’re ready to start your recovery journey, we’re here to offer you guidance and support. Contact Empowered Recovery to check your insurance and explore your treatment options.
References
- Kinrys, G., Gold, A., Worthington, J., Nierenberg, A. (2018). Medication disposal practices: Increasing patient and clinician education on safe methods. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5972255/
- Khatri, J., Shakya, R., Shrestha, R., Shrestha, S. (2025). Disposal of unused and expired medications: A study of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among community pharmacy visitors. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12464398/
- Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.) Disposal of Rx Drugs. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://law.georgia.gov/key-issues/opioid-abuse/6-disposal-rx-drugs
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2025). DEA’s Takeback Initiative Collects 25,430 Pounds of Unwanted Medications in the Carolinas and Georgia; 571,000 Pounds Nationwide. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2025/11/03/deas-takeback-initiative-collects-25430-pounds-unwanted-medications
- Georgia Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Additional Resources. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://dph.georgia.gov/about-dph/clinical-services/office-pharmacy/additional-resources
- Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative. (n.d.) Interactive Map – Drop Box Locations. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://stoprxabuseinga.org/prescription-drug-disposal/
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. (2025). DEA National Takeback. Retrieved on November 26, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/takebackday
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