National Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 25
10/6/2025 by Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.
The Drug Enforcement Agency National Drug Take Back Day is a special event that encourages everyone in the community to safely dispose of expired or unused medications.
This year, Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Zumbro Valley Medical Society and Olmsted Medical Center, will once again host this important event in Rochester. Local community partners, including Mayo Ambulance, Olmsted County’s Drug and Alcohol Response Team (DART) and Rochester Fire Department, will also participate.
The local Drug Take Back Day event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mayo Family Clinic Northeast at 3041 Stonehedge Drive, NE, in Rochester, Minnesota.
Everyone is welcome to drop off leftover prescription and over-the-counter medications on this day. The goal is to prevent drug misuse, protect the environment and keep homes and neighborhoods safe.
Importance of removing unused medicine from your home
Many people have extra pills or bottles of medicine sitting in their bathroom cabinets or kitchen drawers. These could be from an old illness, injury or surgery. But even if those medicines are no longer needed, they can still be dangerous – especially if children, pets or others take them by accident or on purpose. Taking drugs that were not prescribed for you could lead to serious health problems, addiction or even death.
National Drug Take Back Day helps prevent these dangers by giving all community members a safe and easy way to clean out their medicine cabinets. Instead of throwing pills in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. which can pollute our water and soil, you can drop them off at this event so these unused medications can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly and secure manner.
This event also raises awareness of the ongoing drug misuse and overdose epidemic across the country. In the United States, millions of people struggle with addiction to medications such as opioid pain killers, sleeping pills or anxiety medications. In many cases, these problems start when someone takes a medicine meant for someone else. Teenagers are especially at risk. Studies show that many teens who misuse prescription drugs get them from a friend or family member – often right out of the medicine cabinet.
Clearing out old medicines is a simple action that can save lives. National Drug Take Back Day reminds families to check their supplies and safely remove anything they no longer need. By dropping off unused medications during this event, you are helping your family and your community. It may seem small, but safely disposing of your medicine can make a big difference!
Here is a list of prescription and over-the-counter medications you can drop off at the Drug Take Back Day event:
- Capsules.
- Creams.
- Ointments.
- Patches.
- Pills.
- Vials.
Liquids must be in their original container. Pet medications are accepted. Vape pens are accepted with the batteries removed. Other e-cigarette devices are also accepted, with the batteries removed.
Designated drop-off pharmacies
If you are unable to go to this event, drop your medications at one of these designated Mayo Clinic Pharmacies:
- Mayo Family Clinic Northwest.
- Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester, Saint Marys Campus, Mary Brigh Building.
- Mayo Family Clinic Northeast.
- Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester, Methodist Campus.
- Mayo Building Subway.
- Baldwin Building.
There are also year-round locations in communities nationwide where you can drop off your medications. You can find your closest location by using the DEA’s website, Year-Round Drop-Off Locations - Search Utility.
Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., is a primary care physician in the Department of Family Medicine in Rochester and Kasson. He is chair of Mayo Clinic's Opioid Stewardship Program and participates in medical student and resident education.