Drug Take Back Day events held throughout Boone County Saturday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting the 31st Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, in partnership with many local law enforcement agencies, including the Boone County Sheriff's Department.

According to a press release from the DEA St. Louis Field Division, over 4,400 collection sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other prescription medicines to help prevent misuse and accidental poisoning. However, syringes, sharps and illegal drugs won't be accepted.

Boone County residents can visit the Centralia Police Department, Hallsville Police Department, Kilgore's Pharmacy in Ashland or Hickman High School in Columbia to drop off unwanted prescription medication Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, according to a Boone County Sheriff's Department post.

Medications will be sent to the DEA for proper disposal.

Some businesses accept unwanted drugs year-round, including all three Hy-Vee pharmacies in Columbia. People can visit the DEA website to find the nearest drug drop-off location.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health estimates that 235,000 people misused prescription drugs within the past year.

The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics estimates there were about 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2025. The data include fentanyl and other illegal drug-related deaths.