Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Blue Cross of Idaho is partnering with local Idaho agencies to host National Prescription Drug (Rx) Take-Back Day events on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. Rx Take-Back Day is a nationwide effort led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that provides education on how to safely store and dispose of prescription medications, and to get old and unwanted prescription medications off the street.

Blue Cross of Idaho drug collection sites

On Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, you can bring expired or unwanted prescriptions to one of our four locations:

• Coeur d’Alene location:
  1812 N Lakewood Drive
  Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

• Idaho Falls location:
  3630 South 25th Street East
  Idaho Falls, ID 83404

• Meridian location:
  3000 E Pine Ave.
  Meridian, ID 83642

• Twin Falls location:
  428 Cheney Dr W
  Twin Falls, ID 83301

If you can’t make it to one of our drug collection sites on April 27, there are other ways you can dispose of medication safely. Throughout the year, pharmacies, hospitals, police departments and businesses can help you get rid of unneeded medication in a safe way.

To find a drug collection site near you, use the DEA’s collection site locator.

Prescription safety tips

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to store medications safely:

• Store prescriptions in the original container, with the safety lock tightened
• Keep medicine in a place where it cannot be reached by children or pets
• Keep prescription narcotics in a locked box or cabinet

Here are some tips from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on how to dispose of medications safely:

• The best way to dispose of prescription medication is through a drug take-back program
• If you do not have a collection site near you, the FDA offers other ways on how to safely dispose of medications

More information

Here are some more resources on prescription drug abuse:

• Get Smart About Drugs, a resource for parents, educators and caregivers
• Just Think Twice, a resource for teens about drug abuse and addiction

 

Sources: CDC, FDA

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Published: April 17, 2023

Updated: April 4, 2024