Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign that runs from Oct. 23-31. It is an ideal time to raise drug awareness, including the proper disposal of unwanted drugs.

Prescription Drug Abuse

When faced with heightened anxiety, stress, and depression many people look for solace in prescription drugs like opioids that are often readily accessible inside the home. New risks to human and environmental health call for enhanced outreach to ensure the safe removal of unwanted and expired medications from households worldwide. Unfortunately, many people improperly dispose of unused pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). These products make their way into the environment through sewer systems or landfills. PPCPs can travel through sewer systems and arrive at wastewater treatment facilities that are not equipped to completely remove them from the water. As a result, compounds left in treated water can cycle back into drinking water.

People are encouraged to take an active role in eliminating PPCPs from the environment since humans are responsible for their existence. One way to do that is to use prescription drop boxes.

Drug Boxes

Prescription drop boxes are one of the best ways to eliminate unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Contact your local police department or pharmacy to find the nearest drop box in your area. You can also search drug disposal sites via Google Maps or the United States Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website to find a location near you.

To see drug boxes sponsored or co-sponsored by Alabama Extension please visit Disposing of Unused Medication. Make sure all medication labels have been removed from pill bottles or containers before bringing them to a drop-off location.

Drug Take-Back Days

The DEA also has national drug take-back days that occur on the fourth Saturday in April and October each year. To observe these days, many communities and businesses establish collection sites where people can bring unwanted drugs.

In April of 2025, 4,472 US law enforcement agencies provided 4,590 drop-off locations and collected 620,321 pounds (310 tons) of unwanted and expired medication. The program has resulted in the collection of over 19.8 million pounds (9,910 tons) of drugs since its inception.

The next drug take-back day coincides with Red Ribbon Week on October 25. To find a collection site near you, or for more information on drug take-back days, visit the Take Back Day website.

Lock Your Meds

Take the Lock Your Meds pledge! By taking the Lock Your Meds Pledge, you become eligible to enter a drawing for a medicine case with a combination lock. The winner will be announced on March 1, 2026.

By taking the pledge, you vow to:

• Secure my medication to prevent children and guests from accessing it.
• Take regular inventory of my medicine to make sure nothing is missing.
• Safely dispose of unused or expired medication.

Observing Red Ribbon Week 

Here are other ways to observe Red Ribbon Week.

• Wear a red ribbon during the week.
• Participate in a local drug-take-back program.
• Promote a drug-free lifestyle by lighting up your business in red.
• Display fact sheets and Red Ribbon Week notices in your office.
• Sponsor a Red Ribbon Week activity (e.g., poster contest or fun run).
• Create a bulletin board display about Red Ribbon Week.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of drug abuse and improperly disposing of medicine.
• Post a red ribbon photo on social media and tag it #DEARedRibbon.
• Share facts and Red Ribbon Week activities with family, friends, and colleagues.

For More Information

Visit the DEA website for more information on Red Ribbon Week or the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

For more information about urban environmental programs, email Extension Environmental Specialist Karnita Garner or call (256) 372-8331.