Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Hosting National Drug Take Back Day This Saturday

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center is encouraging locals to clean out their medicine cabinets this weekend as part of National Drug Take Back Day.

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The initiative, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its partners, will take place Saturday, April 25, with collection sites set up across Alabama, including the VA at 3701 Loop Road in Tuscaloosa.

Held twice a year in April and October, Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient way for residents to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications.

In 2025 alone, Alabamians turned in 6,657 pounds of unused medications during the two statewide events, removing a significant amount of potentially dangerous drugs from circulation.

“Unused prescription drugs too often become a gateway to addiction or accidental overdose,” said Dr. Nina Ford Johnson, president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. “Take Back Day is a simple, safe way to get them out of your home for good and potentially save a life.”

Collection sites will accept tablets, capsules and other solid forms of prescription medication.

Liquids should remain sealed in their original containers to prevent leakage, while syringes or illicit drugs will not be accepted.

A full list of collection sites is available through the DEA, with multiple locations operating statewide throughout the day Saturday.

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