MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Community members are encouraged to safely dispose of unused and expired medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, an effort local prevention leaders say plays a critical role in reducing substance misuse.
Carla Smith, executive director of the Rise Up Reno Prevention Network, said the event—organized nationally by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and locally supported by the Hutchinson Police Department—offers a simple but important step toward prevention.
“Medications that are not meant to be used by people they weren’t prescribed to can be very dangerous,” Smith said.
The take back event allows residents to anonymously drop off prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, patches and even pet medications. Items such as sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans and vaping devices are not accepted.
According to Smith, easy access to leftover medications is a major driver of substance misuse. She noted that many addictions begin with prescription drugs found in the home.
“A lot of times it’s just easy access—people might pick it up from their parents or grandparents or find it in a cabinet,” Smith said.
That access can have serious consequences, particularly for young people. Smith emphasized that preventing initial exposure is key to reducing long-term addiction risks.
“For us, it is all about prevention,” she said. “If people don’t start something, they don’t have to go through treatment, overdoses or fatalities.”
Nationally, the impact of the program is significant. Smith said last year’s take back events collected roughly 10,000 tons of medication across the country—highlighting just how much unused medication remains in homes.
Beyond misuse concerns, proper disposal also protects the environment. Flushing medications can contaminate water systems, as many treatment facilities cannot fully remove pharmaceutical chemicals.
“It’s terrible for our environment,” Smith said. “We don’t want it in our water or soil.”
While Take Back Day happens twice a year, Smith noted that year-round drop-off locations are available at several pharmacies in Hutchinson and surrounding communities, giving residents ongoing opportunities to safely dispose of medications.
Smith said events like this also serve as an opportunity to educate families—especially parents—about setting expectations and modeling safe behaviors.
“Parents have so much value in what they say and what they expect,” she said. “Just getting rid of unused medications is a way to be a good role model.”
Take Back Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dillons Marketplace on East Plaza Drive.