Megan Navarro
BUDA — Knowing that unused prescription medication can find its way into the wrong hands, the Buda Police Department encourages to participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this month.
Agencies nationwide partner with the DEA to provide a drop-off location for those who have prescription or over-the counter medications that are expired, unused or unwanted to have a safe place to dispose of them, no questions asked.
According to the DEA, during the last event in October 2025, 4,263 law enforcement agencies participated, with 4,317 total collection sites and 20,391,851 total weight all time — this may include materials other than prescription drugs.
These events, typically held twice a year with the DEA, are important because it helps keep drugs, narcotics and prescription medications off the streets and out of reach of children, said Matt Schima, community affairs officer for the Buda Police Department.
This is especially true as the department has seen too many youth overdose on medications that they have found at home.
“Too often, we find that it's medications that were left over in their parents’ or their grandparents’ medicine cabinet or it just happened to be laying around the house because a person got better and now, they don't need it anymore. We want to try to deter that from happening by taking those medications out of people's hands and disposing of them properly,” Schima said. “Then, also, we see where, between youth, they may not be taking them themselves, but they could be selling them or giving them to other people. So, we just want to cut that down to make sure that medications stay in the hands of those that actually need them and those that are prescribed to them, so that there are no tragedies that happen, especially with our youth.”
They will accept any medication, as long as it is not liquid or syringes, Schima said.
The upcoming Drug Take Back Day will take place nationwide from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25. Specifically, for Buda, the public will be able to participate in front of the department, located at 405 E. Loop St. Suite 200, Buda.
Schima encourages people to come that day if they have any unwanted, unused and expired medications to dispose of. However, if they miss it, BPD also has a dropoff box in the lobby that is available during normal business hours.
Other collection sites currently scheduled for the April 25 Drug Take Back Day include the Hays County Constable Precinct 3 Office, located at 200 Stillwater Road, Wimberley. More information about the event and locations can be found at www.dea.gov/takebackday.
