Coon Rapids Police to Host DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 25

COON RAPIDS, MN (April 22, 2026) The Coon Rapids Police Department will serve as an official collection site for the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide initiative coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration aimed at providing safe disposal of unused or expired medications.

The collection event will take place Saturday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the police department, located at 11155 Robinson Drive NW. Participation is free, anonymous, and does not require identification.

Event Purpose and Public Safety Context

Take Back Day is part of a broader federal effort to address prescription drug misuse and prevent diversion. According to DEA data, a substantial share of misused prescription medications are obtained from family members or friends, often from unsecured supplies within the home.

Officials state the program is designed to reduce those risks by removing unused medications from circulation. Since its launch in 2010, the initiative has collected more than 20 million pounds of medications nationwide, making it one of the largest drug disposal programs in the country.

Public safety agencies identify three primary outcomes associated with participation:

• Reduction in misuse and diversion, particularly involving opioids and controlled substances
• Prevention of accidental poisoning, especially among children and pets
• Environmental protection, by avoiding improper disposal through flushing or household trash

Federal environmental guidance notes that improper disposal can introduce pharmaceutical compounds into water systems and soil, while controlled collection ensures safe destruction through regulated incineration processes.

Accepted and Prohibited Materials

The collection process is structured for efficiency and privacy, operating on a no-questions-asked basis.

Accepted items include:

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

Prohibited items include:

• Needles, syringes, or other sharps
• Illicit substances
• Inhalers or other pressurized canisters

Residents are advised to remove or obscure personal information on prescription labels prior to drop-off.

Sharps Disposal Guidance

Sharps, including needles and syringes, are not accepted at Take Back Day sites due to handling and safety requirements. Residents seeking disposal options for these materials are directed to resources such as Safe Needle Disposal, which provides location-based guidance for approved facilities, including county hazardous waste programs.

Ongoing Disposal Options

For residents unable to attend the April 25 event, the Coon Rapids Police Department maintains a permanent medication drop box located inside City Hall, available during regular business hours.

The DEA also reports that more than 16,000 authorized collection sites nationwide provide year-round medication disposal options, supplementing the biannual Take Back Day events.

Bottom Line

The April 25 collection provides a limited-time, nationally coordinated opportunity for residents to safely dispose of unused medications. Law enforcement and public health officials emphasize that participation is a direct and effective step in reducing prescription drug misuse, preventing accidental harm, and protecting environmental health.

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