April 22, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Public Safety's Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is encouraging all Iowans to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This biannual event is an opportunity for Iowans to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications safely and anonymously.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way of disposing of unneeded drugs while educating the public about the potential for the dangerous misuse of medication. Each spring and fall, local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies team up to collect leftover prescription and over-the-counter medication. During the fall collection in October, Iowans turned in over 8,199 pounds of unneeded medicine. To date, Iowans have safely disposed of over 107 tons of unused medications at these events.
"Get in the habit of regularly checking your home for unused medications and take advantage of events like National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to dispose of them safely,” says Susie Sher, Bureau Chief of ODCP. “This is an easy step we can all take to help safeguard our communities, protect the environment, and prevent health and safety issues like accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose.”
Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back events will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at designated sites across Iowa. As part of the national Prescription Drug Take Back program, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also allows the collection of vaping devices and e-cigarettes from individuals if batteries are first removed from the devices. For more information or to find a site near you, visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.
In addition to Saturday’s event, Iowans can take excess medications to one of Iowa’s Prescription Drug Take Back locations, including nearly 400 permanent pharmacy and law enforcement center sites available on a year-round basis. For Iowa Take Back details, including education information and collection sites, visit: Iowa Prescription Drug Drop Box Sites.
Iowans needing help for drug using behaviors or mental health concerns can go to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Service’s YourLifeIowa.org.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes seven divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state, and federal government agencies and the private sector to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service, and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Professional Development and Support Services Division, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E. 7th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319