Doctors with the Medical Association of the State of Alabama are urging Alabamians to safely dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on Saturday, October 25 as part of nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Held twice each year, Take Back Day encourages people to rid their homes of unneeded medications to reduce the likelihood they will be misused and result in a deadly drug overdose.
In a promising sign, overdose deaths in Alabama declined by more than 30 percent between March 2024 and March 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“That’s evidence community efforts like Take Back Day are making a difference and saving lives,” said Dr. Mark LeQuire, president of the Medical Association.
“Old, unwanted or expired prescription drugs too often become a gateway to addiction or overdose. Take Back Day is a safe, convenient and responsible way to permanently remove these drugs so they can never be misused or abused,” said Dr. LeQuire. “We’re encouraged by the decline in overdose deaths, but we can’t let up. Every pill turned in is one less that can harm someone.”
On Saturday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and its partners will collect tablets, capsules and other forms of prescription drugs at more than two dozen locations across Alabama.
Collection sites will not accept syringes or illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container, with caps secured to prevent leakage.
During the most recent Take Back Day in April, Alabamians removed over 3,600 pounds of unneeded and expired medications from their homes – preventing potential misuse and protecting families.
For a list of specific collection sites in Alabama, see the list here.
