Marylanders Encouraged to Dispose of Unwanted Medications on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Maryland State Police are urging residents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, 2025, by bringing in expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications for safe disposal. This initiative, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offers a convenient and anonymous method for the public to address the issue of prescription drug misuse and promote safety.

Residents can drop off their medications at any Maryland State Police barrack. It is important to note that the Forestville Barrack is temporarily relocated due to ongoing construction of a new facility; therefore, all prescription medications intended for drop-off at that location should be taken to the College Park Barrack. Maryland State Police barracks are equipped with secure collection boxes that are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing year-round access for disposal. A comprehensive list of collection sites can be accessed via the Maryland State Police.

This biannual program is a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and law enforcement agencies across the United States. The primary goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of drug misuse and to provide a secure and responsible method for discarding prescription drugs that are no longer needed. In the previous take-back event held in April, the DEA successfully collected over 11,000 pounds of prescription medications from 99 collection sites, involving 30 law enforcement agencies within Maryland. The Maryland State Police alone contributed more than 1,100 pounds to this effort.

Data from the April 2025 event indicates the significant participation at various Maryland State Police barracks. The Bel Air Barrack collected 150 pounds of medications, followed by the Cumberland Barrack with 141 pounds. The Hagerstown Barrack received 96 pounds, while the Leonardtown Barrack collected 91 pounds. The Frederick Barrack accounted for 83 pounds of disposed medications. Since the inception of this program in 2014, the Maryland State Police have been instrumental in removing nearly 35,000 pounds of prescription drugs from circulation through these take-back initiatives.

For individuals seeking more information on overdose response and prevention strategies within Maryland, further resources are available on the Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response website: https://stopoverdose.maryland.gov.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Maryland State Police

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