Coon Rapids Police Department to Host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 25

Coon Rapids Police Department to Host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 25

COON RAPIDS, MN — October 14, 2025 — The Coon Rapids Police Department has announced its participation as a collection site for the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual event, organized in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), provides residents with a safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of expired or unused prescription medications.

Safeguarding Public Health and Safety

Unused or expired medications left in household medicine cabinets can pose serious risks to families and communities. They can be accidentally ingested by children or pets, or misused by individuals struggling with substance use or addiction. For those in recovery, easy access to leftover medications can also present a relapse risk.

By participating in Take Back Day, residents can play a direct role in preventing drug misuse, reducing overdoses, and safeguarding their homes. The initiative is also designed to help protect the environment by discouraging improper disposal methods such as flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in household trash—actions that can lead to contamination of local waterways and soil.

Local Collection Details

Residents can bring their unneeded or expired prescription medications to the Coon Rapids Police Department, located at 11155 Robinson Drive NW, during the event hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. The collection process is free, anonymous, and no questions will be asked.

Accepted items include:

• Pills, capsules, and tablets
• Over-the-counter and prescription medications
• Pet prescriptions
• Creams, ointments, and patches

Items not accepted include:

• Syringes or sharps
• Liquids (unless sealed in original containers)
• Aerosol cans
• Illegal drugs or hazardous waste

A Nationwide Effort

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is part of a larger DEA-led initiative that partners with thousands of law enforcement agencies across the United States. In the most recent Take Back event held in April, Americans turned in more than 620,000 pounds of medications, underscoring the public’s ongoing commitment to combating prescription drug misuse.

For residents unable to attend the Coon Rapids collection site, additional authorized drop-off locations can be found through the DEA’s official website at www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Protecting Communities, One Cabinet at a Time

“Cleaning out your medicine cabinet may seem like a small act,” a Coon Rapids Police spokesperson said, “but every bottle safely disposed of represents one less opportunity for misuse or accidental harm. This event helps make our homes and community safer.”

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead, check their medicine cabinets for unused prescriptions, and join the effort on October 25 to help protect both lives and the environment.

MinneapoliMedia