Upper Arlington residents can drop off unused or expired medications at a free drive-thru collection event Saturday, Oct. 24, at Fire Station 72, 3861 Reed Road.

The Upper Arlington Police Division is hosting the drive-thru from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, according to the city's event listing. Disposal is anonymous.

Accepted items:

  • Prescription pills. Empty them into plastic bags.
  • Vape pens or e-cigarette devices, as long as they do not have a battery or the battery has been removed.
  • Liquid medications such as cough syrup, sealed in the original container.
  • Old over-the-counter medications.

Not accepted:

  • Thermometers, needles or sharps, ointments, and medication or medical waste from businesses or clinics.

The DEA reported its April 2026 event collected 642,410 pounds of medication nationwide, according to the agency's website.

Residents who cannot attend can also drop off unused prescription drugs at the CVS Pharmacy at Kingsdale, according to the city.