Coon Rapids Police to Host Drug Take-Back Event April 25

COON RAPIDS, MN 

The Coon Rapids Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, providing residents with a free and anonymous way to dispose of unused or expired medications.

The initiative is coordinated nationwide by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and implemented locally through participating law enforcement agencies.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Location: Coon Rapids Police Department, 11155 Robinson Drive NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Officials state the collection site will operate on a no-questions-asked basis, and the service is free to the public.

Accepted and Prohibited Items

Accepted:

• Pills, capsules, and tablets
• Patches
• Liquid medications in sealed containers
• Pet medications
• Capped EpiPens

Not Accepted:

• Needles, syringes, or sharps
• Illicit drugs
• Chemotherapy medications

Residents are advised to place loose pills in sealed bags and remove or obscure personal information on prescription labels. All collected materials are securely destroyed, typically through high-temperature incineration.

Public Safety and Environmental Considerations

Law enforcement officials and federal agencies identify prescription drug take-back programs as a key strategy in reducing misuse and accidental exposure.

According to the DEA, a majority of individuals who misuse prescription medications obtain them from family members or friends, often from unsecured household supplies. Removing unused medications from homes reduces that risk.

Proper disposal also addresses environmental concerns. Flushing medications or discarding them in household trash can introduce pharmaceutical compounds into water systems or soil. Controlled incineration is the recommended disposal method.

Additionally, officials note that removing unused medications helps prevent accidental ingestion by children and pets.

Year-Round Disposal Option

For residents unable to attend the April 25 event, the Coon Rapids Police Department maintains a permanent medication drop box inside the City Hall lobby.

• Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sharps and needles are not accepted at the police department and must be taken to the Anoka County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Blaine.

Community Outreach

The Coon Rapids Police Department is encouraging residents to share information about the event to increase participation. Officials note that broader awareness supports safer households and reduces the availability of unused medications that can be misused.

The April 25 collection is part of an ongoing national effort to reduce prescription drug misuse and improve public safety through proper disposal practices.

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