Overdose Deaths Are Down 30%. Alabamians Can Keep the Momentum Going This Saturday at Take Back Day
Dozens of locations across the state will collect medications
MONTGOMERY – Doctors with the Medical Association of the State of Alabama are urging Alabamians to safely dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on Saturday, Oct. 25 as part of nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Held twice each year, Take Back Day encourages people to rid their homes of unneeded medications to reduce the likelihood they will be misused and result in a deadly drug overdose.
In a promising sign, overdose deaths in Alabama declined by more than 30 percent between March 2024 and March 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
That’s evidence community efforts like Take Back Day are making a difference and saving lives, said Dr Mark LeQuire, president of the Medical Association.
“Old, unwanted or expired prescription drugs too often become a gateway to addiction or overdose. Take Back Day is a safe, convenient and responsible way to permanently remove these drugs so they can never be misused or abused,” said Dr. LeQuire. “We’re encouraged by the decline in overdose deaths, but we can’t let up. Every pill turned in is one less that can harm someone.”
On Saturday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and its partners will collect tablets, capsules and other forms of prescription drugs at more than two dozen locations across Alabama.
Collection sites will not accept syringes or illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container, with caps secured to prevent leakage.
During the most recent Take Back Day in April, Alabamians removed over 3,600 pounds of unneeded and expired medications from their homes – preventing potential misuse and protecting families.
For a list of specific collection sites in Alabama, see the list below or click here.
Alabaster
Walmart, 630 Colonial Promenade Parkway
Alexander City
Walgreens, 3140 US 280
Anniston
Walgreens, 800 Quintard Ave.
Atmore
Poarch Creek Public Safety Training Center, 6541 Jack Springs Rd.
Birmingham
DEA District Office, 920 18th St. North
Birmingham
Greystone YMCA, 5414 US 280
Birmingham
Alabama Board of Pharmacy, 111 Village St.
Centreville
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, 157 SW Davidson Dr.
Clanton
Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, 301 City St.
Cullman
Police Department, 601 2nd Ave. NE
Hoover
City Hall, 100 Municipal Lane
Jacksonville
Walmart, 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
Police Department, 2460 Government St.
Mobile
CVS, 1401 Hillcrest Rd.
Mobile
Costco, 1450 Tingle Circle E.
Mobile
CVS, 4453 Old Shell Rd.
Monroeville
Police Department, 49 S. Mt Pleasant Ave.
Montgomery
YMCA at Peppertree, 7150 Halcyon Park Dr.
Montgomery
Jones Drugs, 59 W. Fairview Ave., Montgomery, AL
Montgomery
Jones Drugs, 3881 Atlanta Hwy.
Mountain Brook
Police Department, 101 Tibbett St.
Opelika
Lee County Sheriff’s Office, 1900 Frederick Rd.
Orange Beach
Sportplex Softball Fields, 4385 William Silvers Parkway
Oxford
CVS, 825 S. Quintard Ave.
Pelham
Walmart, 2181 Pelham Parkway
Phenix City
Jones Drugs, 3482 Crosswinds Rd.
Prattville
Jones Drugs, 959 E. Main St.
Scottsboro
Jackson County Courthouse, 102 E. Laurel St.
Thomasville
Police Department, 137 Adams Ave.
Tuscaloosa
VA Medical Center, 3701 Loop Rd.
Valley
Police Department, 20 Fob James Dr.
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