FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
CONTACT: Jordan Robinson, Public Safety PIO 208-846-7360 or jrobinson@meridiancity.org
Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition and Blue Cross of Idaho Partner for DEA Prescription Drug Take-back Event
MERIDIAN, ID – The Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition (MADC), in collaboration with Blue Cross of Idaho, invites community members to participate in the upcoming Prescription Drug Take-back Event on April 26, 2025, 10AM – 2PM at the Blue Cross of Idaho parking lot, 3000 E. Pine Avenue, Meridian, ID.
This drive-through event offers a secure, responsible way to dispose of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications, ensuring they don’t fall into the wrong hands or harm the environment. The event is part of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-back Day, a nationwide effort to combat prescription drug misuse and prevent potential abuse.
Why Participate?
Prescription drug misuse often starts at home, with studies showing that most misused medications come from family and friends. The Idaho Healthy Youth Survey (2021) found that nearly 74% of Idaho youth who misused prescription drugs accessed them from their own home. Proper disposal is a simple, effective way to reduce this risk.
The impact of this event is significant. At last year’s Take-back Day, community members safely disposed of 819 pounds of medication, filling 36 boxes from approximately 290 vehicles. These numbers highlight the ongoing need for safe medication disposal and community participation.
Additional Services & Resources
- Vape & E-Cigarette Disposal: Devices will be accepted, but lithium batteries must be removed before drop-off. (Lithium batteries pose a fire hazard and should be taken to a Hazardous Waste collection site.)
- Year-round Medication Drop-off Locations: Can’t make it to the event? The Meridian Police Department provides secure medication disposal boxes at:
- Central Station: 1401 E. Watertower St.
- Northwest Station: 4232 N. Owyhee Storm
(Available Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; no sharps accepted.)
What Leaders Are Saying
“We continue to lose far too many people, including youth, to substance use disorders. It takes a variety of prevention measures and a variety of prevention partners to reduce access to drugs. Safely disposing of medications is an easy step everyone can take to help prevent substance abuse,” said Kendall Nagy, MADC Director.
For more information about this event, contact Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition Director Kendall Nagy at 208-559-7528.
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The Meridian Police Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality service in partnership with the community to preserve and protect life and property through education, prevention and enforcement. The department has 151 police officers, and 46 non-sworn staff dedicated to making Meridian a great place to live, work and raise a family.
