MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | COON RAPIDS: Police Department to Host Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 25

COON RAPIDS, MN (April 19, 2026)

The Coon Rapids Police Department will serve as a local collection site for the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will take place at the police department, located at 11155 Robinson Drive NW, and is part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to provide a safe, convenient, and anonymous method for disposing of unused or expired medications.

Residents can participate through a drive-up collection process, allowing individuals to remain in their vehicles while handing medications to on-site personnel. The service is free of charge, and no identification is required.

Accepted and Prohibited Items

Officials provided the following guidance on materials eligible for disposal:

Accepted items include:

• Prescription tablets, capsules, and patches
• Over-the-counter medications
• Liquid medications in sealed, original containers
• Pet medications

Items not accepted include:

• Needles, syringes, or other sharps
• Illicit substances
• Inhalers and pressurized containers

All collected materials are transferred for secure destruction, typically through controlled, high-temperature incineration in accordance with federal disposal standards.

Public Safety and Environmental Impact

The DEA reports that a significant share of misused prescription drugs are obtained from family members or acquaintances, often from unsecured household medicine cabinets. Removing unused medications reduces the risk of misuse, accidental poisoning, and overdose.

The program also addresses environmental concerns. Medications discarded in household trash or flushed into wastewater systems can introduce pharmaceutical compounds into soil and water supplies. Take Back Day collections ensure proper handling and disposal that minimizes environmental impact.

Since the program’s launch, national Take Back Day events have removed millions of pounds of medications from circulation, making it a central component of federal efforts to curb prescription drug misuse.

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, available during regular business hours.

The April 25 collection is part of a coordinated national effort involving law enforcement agencies across the country, aimed at reducing access to unused medications and strengthening community safety.

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