Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet - Safely!
DEA Drug Take Back Day with Dedham Police Department
Dedham Police Department Joins DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Dedham Police Department will once again participate in the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Community members are encouraged to dispose of unused, expired, or unwanted medications safely and anonymously at the Public Safety Building parking lot between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. A police officer will be present to oversee and assist with the collection.
The drug overdose epidemic remains a pressing public health, public safety, and national security threat. Take Back Day is part of a nationwide strategy to reduce the availability of unneeded medications that could otherwise be misused, diverted, or improperly discarded.
By participating in this event, residents help prevent prescription drug misuse and opioid addiction before it starts. Removing medications from homes and medicine cabinets also helps prevent accidental poisonings and overdoses—particularly among children, older adults, and pets.
Why Drug Take Back Day Matters:
• Prevents medication misuse and opioid addiction: Unused opioids, sedatives, and stimulants have the potential to be misused with deadly consequences.
• Reduces accidental poisonings: Medications stored in kitchens and bathrooms are frequently involved in emergency room visits due to unintentional ingestion.
• Protects youth from access: Surveys show teens often obtain prescription drugs from family or friends—usually from unsecured household supplies.
• Stops environmental harm: Flushing or tossing medications into the trash can pollute waterways and affect wildlife. DEA-approved incineration is the environmentally safe option.
• Supports community safety: By participating in this program, residents contribute to a safer and healthier Dedham.
This event reflects a shared commitment: while residents take action to clear out unneeded medications, agencies like the DEA and local law enforcement continue working to reduce drug-related violence and overdose deaths.
To find additional DEA collection sites near you or to explore year-round disposal options, visit the DEA Collection Site Locator and enter your zip code, county, city, or state.
Together, we can prevent misuse, save lives, and strengthen our community.
For local questions or to volunteer during the event, contact the Dedham Health Department.