Montana is preparing for the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for October 25, 2025. The initiative, organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various sites across the state. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana is supporting the event.
According to data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, 13.5% of high school students in Montana have reported using prescription medication without a prescription.
The purpose of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is to remove expired and unused prescription drugs from homes to reduce risks associated with misuse, diversion, and accidental poisoning. Prescription drug abuse remains a significant issue in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme stated, “We all know unused prescriptions, particularly opioids, pose a danger to Montanans, especially to children. We encourage everyone to participate in the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day by cleaning out their medicine cabinets. It’s a quick and easy way to help make our communities safer.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Montana are participating in this effort. More information about collection sites can be found on the DEA website at https://www.dea.gov/takebackday. Year-round disposal options are also available at locations such as pharmacies and health centers; these can be found at https://dphhs.mt.gov/BHDD/SubstanceAbuse/dropboxlocations and https://www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day.
In April 2025, during the previous Take Back Day event, law enforcement agencies collected 620,321 pounds of prescription drugs nationwide at over 4,590 sites. Since its inception, more than 19.8 million pounds have been collected through this program.
Specifically in Montana during that event, residents turned in 1,229 pounds of prescription drugs at 20 collection sites with participation from nineteen law enforcement agencies. To date, Montana has collected a total of 59,506 pounds through these efforts.
For further details about safe drug disposal or upcoming events on October 25th, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
