National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is encouraging residents across the state to dispose of expired and unused prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the event offers free and anonymous drop-off sites at participating pharmacies and law enforcement agencies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Unused medications left in home cabinets present risks of misuse, theft or accidental poisoning among children and pets. Disposal events offer a safe mechanism to clear homes of unwanted drugs.

During the previous event in April, Oregonians turned in 1,484 pounds of unwanted medications. Nationwide, the spring collection gathered 642,410 pounds across more than 4,400 sites, contributing to more than 21 million pounds removed from homes since the national program began in 2010.

The initiative is part of broader statewide efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Since 2021, the Oregon Department of Justice has secured more than $700 million through national settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies, including Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. Settlement funds are directed to prevention, treatment and recovery programs, with the majority allocated to Oregon counties and cities.

Rayfield stressed that safely disposing of unused drugs helps prevent accidental exposure or misuse within homes. “Most of us have a bottle of leftover medication sitting in the back of a bathroom cabinet and we don't give it a second thought,” Rayfield said. “But that medicine can end up with a teenager who's curious, a visitor who's struggling, or a toddler who thinks it's candy. Dropping it off takes 5 minutes, it's free and nobody asks your name. It's one of the simplest things any of us can do to protect the people we love.”

Rayfield also linked individual community action to state enforcement measures. “Holding the companies that fueled this crisis accountable is a big part of our work,” Rayfield said. “Making sure the pills already in our homes don't cause more harm is something every Oregonian can help with.”

Participating collection sites will accept prescription tablets, capsules, patches and other solid medications. Liquids such as cough syrup are accepted if sealed in their original containers with tight caps. Organizers advise residents to remove or black out personal information on prescription labels before drop-off. Syringes, needles, other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

For residents unable to attend Saturday's event, Oregon offers year-round medication disposal through a program managed by the Department of Environmental Quality. The statewide program operates drop-off kiosks at participating pharmacies and law enforcement agencies, along with prepaid mail-back envelopes available through medtakebackoregon.org or by calling 844-482-5322.

Collection sites across Oregon will open Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can find participating drop-off locations by visiting dea.gov/takebackday or calling 1-800-882-9539.