Upper Arlington’s fall Drug Take Back Day collected 218 pounds of prescription drugs Saturday, Oct. 24.
The drive-thru collection ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 72, 3861 Reed Road. The Upper Arlington Police Division hosted the event as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Drug Take Back Day, a biannual national program.
The City of Upper Arlington announced the total on X, saying the collection would help "keep potentially dangerous medications out of the wrong hands."
The event accepted prescription pills, liquid medications in sealed original containers, over-the-counter drugs and vape pens with batteries removed. Thermometers, needles, ointments and medical waste from businesses were not accepted, according to the city's event page. Residents could empty pills into plastic bags for anonymous disposal.
The city had also announced that the Franklin County Coalition for Suicide Prevention planned to distribute free lock boxes at the event. The boxes securely store firearms or prescription medications, keeping them away from children and others who should not have access. No post-event update on the lock box distribution was available.
The city noted that opioid and heroin addiction remains a health and safety crisis across Ohio and the nation, including in Upper Arlington. Unused prescription drugs left in medicine cabinets can be found by curious teens or visitors.
Nationally, the DEA's Take Back Day program has collected 21,034,225 pounds through April 2026, 10TV reported.
Residents who missed the event can drop off old or unused prescription drugs year-round at the CVS Pharmacy at Kingsdale.
Upcoming community dates:
- Endeavor Brewing closes its Grandview-area taproom Oct. 29.
- Franklin County early voting continues Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m., at 1700 Morse Road.
