Gov. Beshear Encourages Kentuckians To Properly Dispose of Prescription Drugs on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 24

The effort aims to reduce overdose deaths, protect lives and prevent potential misuse of expired, unused medication

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2026) - To build on the progress of four straight years of declines in overdose-related deaths in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear is encouraging Kentuckians to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.

"This Saturday is an opportunity to safely, anonymously and free of charge dispose of expired, unused medication that could potentially end up in the hands of someone fighting addiction or a child or seriously harm one of our neighbors," Gov. Beshear said. "Let's all do our part to continue moving our commonwealth forward and creating safer communities."

Kentuckians can quickly find a disposal site closest to their home online by entering their ZIP code, county or city. Participation in this event is easy - individuals should collect any medications in their home not currently in use, from tablets, capsules, patches, liquid medications such as cough syrup, over the counter or pet medications, vape pens or e-cigarettes (only if batteries are removed first). Watch this video to learn more.

The Governor recognized that, in April, Kentucky disposed of 15,575 pounds of unused prescription drugs, helping prevent medication misuse and addiction from the beginning.

Kentucky operates 215 drug disposal locations across 93 counties that are ready to accept prescription medications year-round.

Syringes, needles, illicit or illegal drugs, inhalers or compressed gas cylinders are not accepted. To properly dispose of these items, please utilize a local Kentucky Syringe Services Program or contact a local law enforcement agency or health department.

Addiction and Recovery
By increasing access to recovery resources, reducing the stigma around asking for help and removing dangerous drugs from communities, the Beshear-Coleman administration remains focused on turning Kentucky's progress into prosperity.

The 2025 Crime in Kentucky Report, released in June, shows that, from 2024 to 2025, reports of serious crime rates decreased by 8.14%. This includes an 11.25% decrease in drug/narcotic offenses.

In April, Gov. Beshear announced that overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased for the fourth year in a row, with a 22.9% decrease in 2025 compared with the previous year and a 50.8% decrease from 2021. 2025 saw the lowest number of overdose deaths recorded in the commonwealth since 2014.

Team Kentucky has certified 42 Recovery Ready Communities across the commonwealth, ensuring more than 2.2 million Kentuckians have access to treatment resources near their homes.

In 2025, the Governor announced the emergency designation of bromazolam, also known as "designer Xanax," as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, banning the drug from being sold in Kentucky.

Also in 2025, Gov. Beshear announced he was taking action to prevent the sale and distribution of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), an addictive form of Kratom, by moving to classify the drug as a Schedule I narcotic, making it illegal to sell, possess or distribute any isolated or concentrated forms of 7-OH in the state.

In 2024, the administration launched FindNaloxone.ky.gov to help Kentuckians access lifesaving naloxone, or Narcan, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose.

In 2022, Team Kentucky launched FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org, a searchable website to help people in recovery find housing.

Also in 2022, Kentucky launched the easy-to-remember three-digit mental health crisis hotline, 988, which connects Kentuckians facing a risk of suicide, mental health distress or an addiction crisis to compassionate and trained counselors who can help.

Treatment Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call the KY HELP Call Center at 833-8KY-HELP or visit FindHelpNowKy.org to find recovery resources near you.

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