MILLBURN, N.J. – October 29, 2026 -- Families can clear expired and unused prescription drugs out of their homes on Saturday, November 14, 2026, during the 18th Annual American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) Day of Awareness of Prescription Drugs and Safe Disposal. Communities across the United States will take part in the national public health initiative.
Most misused pain relievers come from friends or relatives
According to SAMHSA's 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 42.3 percent of people age 12 or older who misused prescription pain relievers got the most recently misused medicine from a friend or relative. Taking unused, unwanted and expired medications to a collection site removes them from the home. That reduces the chance that someone takes a medicine not prescribed for them, or that a child accidentally swallows it.
Older adults face a slower decline in overdose deaths
The CDC reports that 8,195 Americans age 65 and older died from drug overdoses in 2024. Overdose death rates fell across all age groups from 2023 to 2024, but adults 65 and older saw the smallest decrease.
"Medicine safety deserves attention at every age," said Angelo M. Valente, CEO of AMCC, who urges parents to talk with their children about misuse and older adults to ask their healthcare providers about the medicines they take.
Five steps guide the challenge
AMCC's five steps are:
- Take inventory of your medicine.
- Secure your medicine chests.
- Take medicine only as prescribed.
- Safely dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medicine.
- Talk to children about the dangers of prescription drugs, which AMCC calls the most important step.
Nearly 2,000 permanent drop-off sites operate in 47 states
AMCC maintains the national registry of permanent collection sites. Nearly 2,000 permanent drop-off locations exist in 47 states and Washington, D.C. People can find a site on the newly updated AmericanMedicineChest.com.