Drug Take Back Day: Minnesotans drop off pounds of medications as officials urge actions

Minnesotans turned in baggage of previous medications Saturday as half of National Prescription Drug Take Back Dayan effort geared toward retaining unused prescriptions out of properties and the fallacious arms.

There have been drop-off websites throughout the state. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS talked to individuals at two places — one which the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office hosted in St. Paul exterior the Midway Target, and the opposite that the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office hosted in Minneapolis on the University of Minnesota’s Off-Campus Safety Center in Dinkytown.

“Some people are coming with one small bag and others are coming with five or six bags, because they’ve just been waiting for a place to dispose,” mentioned Jonessa Wisniewski with Ramsey County’s Opioid Prevention and Unified Services Coalition (OPUS).

Along with tablets, used syringes have been additionally collected.

“Twice a year we do see and bring in 400 pounds or more of syringes, needles and medication from people,” Wisniewski mentioned.

Everything collected is sealed, weighed and ready for protected disposal.

“I’m dropping off some medication that I no longer need, and it’s out of date, and it’s a good place to do that,” mentioned Dennis Gerharstein, who stopped by one of the websites.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Minnesota’s twice-a-year Take Back occasions collected hundreds of pounds in 2025:

• Oct. 25, 2025: 8,850 lbs. of treatment
• April 26, 2025: 10,496 lbs of treatment
• Past 29 Take Back Days: 310,289 lbs. collected statewide

The DEA says the aim of Take Back Day is easy: filter unused, expired or unneeded prescriptions earlier than they are often misused and encourage households to make protected disposal a year-round behavior.

“We also encourage families to use this day as a time to sit down together and have conversations about the consequences that can come from prescription misuse, as well as the dangers that can come from taking a pill of unknown origin. For families with young children, it’s an opportunity to talk about prescription safety — only taking pills given by a trusted adult, or showing little children how similar candy and medication can often look. Let’s raise awareness and make the most of this day to not only clean out our medicine cabinets and drawers but also to start or continue the dialogue on prescription drug safety,” said a DEA spokesperson.

Lt. Jeremy Gunia with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said clearing out medicine cabinets is more than routine housekeeping.

“Unwanted and unused prescription drugs can sometimes fall into the hands of unwanted people, and it can lead to drug abuse,” Gunia said.

Federal and state data show why events like this matter. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine are among the most commonly misused prescription pain medications.

According to Minnesota’s Dose of Reality campaign, those drugs have killed more than 3,500 Minnesotans in the last 15 years — nearly 70% of them involving medications that were prescribed. The agency reports prescription drug misuse can be a gateway to street drugs.

RELATED: Fentanyl on the rise in Minnesota

The DEA also warns about the rise of counterfeit pills. In 2025, DEA lab testing found that 29% of counterfeit pills contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl — down from 76% the year before, but still considered a major threat.

For college students, the timing of the event is especially relevant.

“You know, we’re entering finals time right now, and sometimes people use medications or alcohol to numb some of that as a repair for finals,” said Nicholas Juarez with the UMN Department of Public Safety. “But again, this is just another opportunity for students to be aware that there are safe ways to dispose of unwanted medication instead of misusing it.”

Ramsey County officials echoed that message.

“We like to say if you are absolutely not using those medications, or even if they’re expired, get them out of your house so kids or adults, neighbors, friends are not exploring,” Wisniewski said.

Beyond collecting old prescriptions, agencies also focused on education. Ramsey County gave out naloxone nasal kits, the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

HCSO handed out deactivation bags called Deterra that neutralize pills.

“There’s charcoal in right here that deactivates the opioids or the medicine. It can maintain as much as 45 tablets, to allow them to take it house. They can put the tablets in there, add some water, you swish it round, and then you definately’re capable of throw this proper within the rubbish,” Gunia explained.

Law enforcement also reminded people what not to do with old medications.

“We’ve been told you can’t flush it down the toilet, don’t throw it in the trash, and there’s really no other way to get rid of it,” Juarez said.

This year marks the 30th Take Back Day. The next one is in October.

Help and assist sources

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: a free, confidential, 24/7 remedy referral and knowledge service for people and households dealing with psychological or substance use issues. Call 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357) for assist in English or Spanish.

9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: obtainable 24/7 for anybody experiencing emotional misery, psychological well being struggles, or issues associated to alcohol or drug use. Call or textual content 9-8-8 to attach with skilled counselors.