Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition and the Drug Enforcement Administration Team Up for the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition
2300 High Ridge Road, Suite 365
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
Phone: (561) 374-7627
Email: prevention@pbcbhc.org
Website: pbcbhc.org
WEST PALM BEACH, FL (October 19, 2026) — Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition (PBCBHC), in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local organizations, will host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications at four participating Walgreens locations:
BELLE GLADE
Location: Walgreens
Address: 101 N Main St, Belle Glade, FL 33430
BOYNTON BEACH
Location: Walgreens
LANTANA
Location: Walgreens
Address: 6558 S Lantana Rd, Lantana, FL 33467
WELLINGTON
Location: Walgreens
The Take Back Day event is part of the DEA’s national initiative to promote safe medication disposal. In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has collected over 21 million pounds (10,517 tons) of medication since its inception in 2010. In Palm Beach County, PBCBHC has helped collect hundreds of pounds of medications over the years at local Take Back Day events. “We are excited to once again offer four Take Back Day locations throughout Palm Beach County, making it easier for residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications,” said Ryan Wertepny, CPP, Executive Director of PBCBHC. “We look forward to working with our community partners to collect these medications and help keep our families and communities safe.”
Take Back Day offers families a convenient opportunity to clear out their medicine cabinets and reduce the risk of accidental poisoning. Young children and pets may not recognize the difference between medication and candy or treats, especially when pills resemble familiar foods in shape, size, or color. While medications should always be stored securely, safely disposing of those no longer needed provides an additional layer of protection against accidental ingestion, misuse, and potentially life-threatening poisoning.
Improper medication disposal can also contribute to environmental contamination. A 2023 study involving Florida International University (FIU) and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust found pharmaceuticals in the blood and tissues of redfish sampled from Florida waters, as reported by FIU News. The findings underscore broader concerns about pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic ecosystems and the importance of responsible medication disposal.
Residents can bring tablets, capsules, patches, and other accepted prescription medications to participating collection sites. Liquid medications must remain securely sealed in their original containers to prevent any leakage. Unfortunately, syringes, needles, sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted. For information about safe sharps disposal in Palm Beach County, contact the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County at 561-837-5900.
PBCBHC is proud to collaborate with community partners to make safe medication disposal more accessible throughout Palm Beach County. This year’s Take Back Day is made possible with the support of the Palm Beach County Community Services Department, Health Council of Southeast Florida, Village of Wellington, Walgreens, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Boynton Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, Community Partners of South Florida, Hanley Foundation, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital, Recovery HUB of Palm Beach County, and Safe Kids Palm Beach County.
Can't make it to Take Back Day? Palm Beach County residents can dispose of unwanted medications any day of the year at the safe disposal locations found on PBCDrop.org.
For more information or if your organization is interested in hosting a resource table at our Take Back Day events, please contact prevention@pbcbhc.org.
For more information on Take Back Day, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
For those who may be at risk of witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose, free naloxone kits are available through local providers listed on iSaveFL.com, a statewide initiative that connects residents with lifesaving resources.
About Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition
Since 1982, Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition (PBCBHC) has worked to strengthen substance use prevention efforts through education, advocacy, and community partnerships.
Our Mission: Transforming and uniting Palm Beach County by empowering our children, our families, and our neighborhoods through awareness, education and training.
For more information about PBCBHC, visit www.pbcbhc.org
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