How to Dispose of Drugs

Remember to store all medications in a safe, secure place in your home out of reach of children and pets. When you are done with medications, It is best to properly dispose of them to ensure they will not be used in a harmful manner.

We encourage all households to take unused or unwanted medications to a nearby collection site when possible. Please click on the link below to find a collection site near you or check with your county, city, or town about other collection opportunities.

New York State Medication Drop Box Locations

Additionally, there are secure MedSafe drop boxes conveniently located in the lobbies of select Northwell Health facilities, including Peconic Bay Medical Center and Southside, South Oaks, and Northern Westchester Hospitals.

For opioid medications (such as oxycodone) and other controlled substances, Vivo Health Pharmacy will provide the Deterra Drug Deactivation System free of charge upon request. Deterra will safely and quickly deactivate the medicine when water is added according to package directions. The entire package may then be tossed in the trash.

As a last resort and in the absence of specific disposal instructions included in your drug packaging, follow the disposal instructions listed below:

• Remove the medication from the original containers and mix with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. This makes the drug less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through the trash seeking drugs.
• Scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to make it unreadable. This will help protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information.
• Hide all medications in an outer container, such as a sealable bag, box or plastic tub to prevent discovery and removal from the trash. Seal the container with strong tape.
• Dispose of drugs as close to your trash collection day as possible to avoid misuse.
• Do not give your medicine to friends. Doctors prescribe medicines based on your specific symptoms and medical history. Something that works for you could be dangerous for someone else.
• When in doubt about proper disposal, ask your pharmacist.