Prescription Drug Take Back Day Scheduled Saturday at Multiple Magic Valley Locations in Idaho
South Central Public Health District Joins DEA for Statewide Collection Effort
TWIN FALLS — Residents across Magic Valley will have the opportunity to safely dispose of unused prescription medications this Saturday, as the South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) partners with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local community organizations to host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day event.
The collection event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at multiple locations throughout the region, offering Idaho households a free, no-questions-asked way to dispose of medications that are no longer needed. The program is designed to keep unused prescription drugs out of medicine cabinets — and out of the wrong hands.
The stakes are significant. According to data cited by organizers, 337 deaths in Idaho were related to drug overdose in 2024. Health officials have long identified unused prescription drugs stored in homes as a contributing factor to both accidental overdose and drug misuse, particularly among young people who may gain access to medications that were prescribed for someone else.
The environmental risk is equally pressing. When unused prescriptions are flushed down the drain or tossed in the trash, they can contaminate water supplies and harm wildlife. Take Back Day events eliminate that risk entirely by routing medications through proper disposal channels.
Collection Sites Spread Across the Region
This year’s Idaho event includes collection sites in Twin Falls, Filer, Gooding, Heyburn, and Hailee, with multiple community partners involved at each location.
In Twin Falls, residents can drop off medications at the Fred Meyer Parking Lot at 705 Blue Lakes Blvd. N. Community partners at that site include the Treatment and Recovery Center (TARC) and the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office.
In Filer, the collection point is located at M&W Market at 130 U.S. Highway 30, with the Filer Police Department serving as a community partner.
In Gooding, the Walker Center at 605 11th Ave. E. is hosting the event in partnership with the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office.
In Heyburn, the Heyburn Police Department at 1800 J St. is the designated drop-off site.
In Hailee, residents can visit the Town Center West at 116 S. River St. Community partners there include the Hailee Police Department, Men’s Second Chance Living, and the Crisis Hotline.
All collection sites are staffed by law enforcement and health professionals to ensure safe handling of collected medications. No personal identification is required to participate.
A Growing Need in Idaho and Nationwide
The need for responsible medication disposal has never been greater. In Idaho alone, more than 3.3 million controlled substance prescriptions were dispensed in 2024, according to figures cited by event organizers. That volume of medication creates an enormous pool of potential risk when drugs go unused and are not properly discarded.
On a national scale, the scope of prescription drug use has grown sharply. New research published in JAMA Network Open, based on a nationwide survey of more than 21,000 adults, found that 62% of Americans reported using at least one medication in the past seven days. One in six Americans reported taking five or more medications regularly.
Public health officials emphasize that leaving unused prescriptions — particularly opioids, sedatives, and stimulants — in an unlocked medicine cabinet poses a real risk to children, teenagers, and others in the household who may misuse them. Community-based take-back events provide a practical, accessible solution that law enforcement agencies across Idaho have strongly supported for years.
What Comes Next
Saturday’s event is part of a national Drug Take Back Day coordinated by the DEA. Residents who miss the Saturday event can contact the South Central Public Health District or their local law enforcement agency for information about year-round prescription drug drop boxes available at select locations throughout Twin Falls County and the broader Magic Valley region. For statewide health and public safety coverage, visit idahonews.co, and for more from across the Idaho News Network, visit IdahoNewsNetwork.com.