Andover residents can drop off unused or expired prescription medications for free Saturday, Oct. 24, at West Middle School on Shawsheen Road.
The Andover Police Department is hosting the collection from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Patch reported. More than 4,300 law enforcement agencies across the country are participating, with over 4,400 collection sites set up nationwide.
No appointment or fee is required.
The event accepts tablets, capsules, patches and liquid medications sealed in their original containers, according to the DEA's Oct. 7 press release. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be collected.
Needles and autoinjectors will not be accepted at the West Middle School site. Residents who need to dispose of sharps can use the needle drop-off box in the lobby of the Andover Public Safety Center.
The national Take Back program has collected more than 21 million pounds of medication since 2010, according to the DEA. The April 2026 event alone brought in 642,410 pounds across the country.
"By participating in Take Back Day, you are preventing potentially addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands … a small step that can save lives," DEA Administrator Terry Cole said in the Oct. 7 press release.
The agency says the program targets a real pipeline for drug misuse. Most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family, friends and acquaintances, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine rank among the most frequently misused pain medications, SAMHSA reports.
Removing unneeded drugs from the home reduces the risk of both misuse and accidental ingestion, the DEA's press release states.
Residents who cannot make the Oct. 24 event can search DEATakeBack.com to find a year-round disposal site. More than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals and businesses offer permanent medication drop-off locations nationwide.
