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Drug Take-Back Program


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Drug Take-Back Bin Locations

In order to keep your family, friends and the community safe, it is essential to properly dispose of unused or expired drugs so that they don’t become a safety hazard. Medication take-back bins are the safest, most effective way to dispose of most types of prescription or over-the-counter medications.

WakeMed Raleigh Campus 

3000 New Bern Avenue 

Raleigh, NC 27610

Visitor's Lobby – Ground Floor


WakeMed Cary Hospital 

1900 Kildaire Farm Road 

Cary, NC 27518

Visitor's Lobby – First Level 


WakeMed North Hospital 

10000 Falls of Neuse Road 

Raleigh, NC 27614

Visitor's Lobby – First Level


Drug Take-Back Bin Guidelines:

Before disposing of your medications...

  • Remove or scratch personal information off of the label of the pill bottles or packaging. (All medication dropped in any of the WakeMed Drug Take-Back bins will be destroyed and discarded and deposits to the bins are completely anonymous and no records will be kept of your drop off.)
  • Leave medication in original container when possible or place in plastic baggies before disposal.
  • Simply bring the bottle, package or baggie to the closest WakeMed facility (WakeMed Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital, or North Hospital) and drop into the WakeMed Drug Take-Back bin. Please do not leave any medications outside of the drop box.
  • Providers and staff are welcome to dispose of unused or expired medication in their possession but cannot dispose of medication on behalf of patients.

The following items can be deposited in the WakeMed Drug Take-Back bins: 

  • Unused prescription medication
  • Expired prescription medication
  • Unused over-the-counter medication
  • Expired over-the-counter medication
  • Pet medication
  • Vitamins

The following items can NOT be deposited in the WakeMed Drug Take-Back bins: 

Why Use a Drug Take-Back Bin?

Opioid overdoses in the state of North Carolina have doubled in the last 10 years. Around 30 deaths each week can be linked to overdoses of prescription painkillers, fentanyl, and other drugs. Approximately 70% of all drug overdoses are from opioid drugs. WakeMed is proud to take a step in the fight against the opioid crisis with the WakeMed Drug Take-Back Program. Together, we can help make Wake County a safer place for our families.

Because safety is of the utmost concern for us at WakeMed, these bins will be bolted to the floor and are placed in highly public, highly secure, and highly monitored areas of the hospitals. The bins are DEA Compliant Prescription Drug Take-Back Receptacles.

To find more information on treatment or prevention for you or a loved one, please visit: https://www.morepowerfulnc.org/get-help/finding-treatment/ 

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