As Alabama continues to face the challenges of drug misuse and overdose deaths, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama is once again encouraging residents to safely dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications on Saturday, October 26 during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Held in April and October each year, this national effort is aimed at reducing the risk of prescription drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and overdose.
During the most recent Take Back Day in April, Alabamians safely disposed of 4,105 pounds of medications. The upcoming Take Back Day October 26 offers another chance to ensure potentially harmful medications don’t fall into the wrong hands.
“Safely disposing of old or unneeded prescription drugs can prevent a gateway to addiction or an overdose,” said Dr. Amanda Williams, President of the Medical Association. “Participating in Take Back Day is a simple yet important step we can all take to help protect our loved ones and communities from the dangers of substance abuse.”
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, and other forms of prescription medications at participating police departments, pharmacies and other locations across Alabama on October 26. The initiative helps to keep communities safe by providing a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of medications.
Collection sites will not accept syringes or illicit drugs. Liquid medications, such as cough syrup, must remain sealed in their original containers with caps tightly secured to prevent leakage.
In 2023, Alabama experienced 9,313 overdose-related incidents, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Emergency Medical Services database.
Collection sites in Alabama are:
Alabama Take Back Day Collection Sites – Oct. 26, 2024
| CITY | LOCATION | ADDRESS |
| Alabaster | Wal-Mart | 630 Colonial Promenade Pkwy. |
| Alexander City | Walgreens | 3140 US-280 |
| Atmore | Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department | 444 Lynn McGhee Dr. |
| Auburn | Boykin Clinic Pharmacy | 400 Boykin St. |
| Birmingham | Greystone YMCA | 5414 US-280 |
| Chelsea | Winn Dixie | 150 Chelsea Corners Way |
| Clanton | Chilton County Jail | 301 City St. |
| Cullman | Cullman Police Department | 601 2nd Ave. NE |
| Eufaula | Eufaula Police Department | 545 E Barbour St. |
| Gadsden | Etowah County Courthouse | 800 Forrest Ave. |
| Hoover | Hoover City Hall | 100 Municipal Ln. |
| Jacksonville | Wal-Mart | 1625 Pelham Rd. S |
| Jacksonville | Walgreens | 311 Pelham Rd. S |
| Millbrook | Jones Drugs | 4117 AL-14 |
| Mobile | Walgreens | 5530 Three Notch Rd. |
| Mobile | Walgreens | 5705 Cottage Hill Rd. |
| Mobile | CVS | 4453 Old Shell Rd. |
| Mobile | Mobile Police Department | 2460 Government St. |
| Mobile | CVS | 1401 Hillcrest Rd. |
| Mobile | Costco | 1450 Tingle Cir. E |
| Monroeville | Monroeville Police Department | 49 S Mt Pleasant Ave. |
| Montgomery | Jackson Hospital Wellness Center | 7150 Halcyon Park Dr. |
| Montgomery | Jones Drugs | 3881 Atlanta Hwy. |
| Montgomery | Jones Drugs | 59 W Fairview Ave. |
| Mountain Brook | Mountain Brook Police Department | 101 Tibbett St. |
| Opelika | Beauregard Drugs | 7667 AL-51 |
| Orange Beach | Waterfront Park | 26425 Canal Rd. |
| Oxford | CVS | 825 S Quintard Ave. |
| Pelham | Wal-Mart | 2181 Pelham Pkwy. |
| Prattville | Jones Drugs | 959 E Main St. |
| Scottsboro | Jackson County Courthouse | 102 E Laurel St. |
| Thomasville | Thomasville Police Department | 137 Adams Ave. |
| Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center | 3701 Loop Rd. |
| Valley | Valley Police Department | 20 Fob James Dr. |
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