Good news!
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) regulations now allow for the safe disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired prescription drugs at designated drop off locations. This means you can return unused narcotic painkillers and other medications to approved pharmacies or use mail-back program options. These new regulations make it easier to safely and responsibly get rid of of your unused or unwanted medications.

Search engine for year round authorized drop offs:
https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1

It is important to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs properly, both to prevent misuse and to prevent environmental contamination in waterways, ground water and water supplies (see EPA flyer link below). Each year the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) schedules two semi-annual public drop off collections; link below. But now you can use the search engine link above to locate a local drug take back drop off on a year round basis.

Good EPA flyer on how to properly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs:
https://archive.epa.gov/region02/capp/web/pdf/ppcpflyer.pdf

Main site for info on national drug take back day:
https://takebackday.dea.gov/