Gov. Beshear Encourages Kentuckians To Properly Dispose of Prescription Drugs on Oct. 25

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held at more than 80 locations statewide

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2025) - To build on the progress of three 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 scheduled nationwide on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.

"One life lost to a drug overdose is one too many, and we have to do everything in our power to keep our loved ones safe and get them into recovery," Gov. Beshear said. "National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is just one way we can make sure drugs are disposed of properly and prevent drug abuse, and I encourage every single Kentuckian with out-of-date or unused prescription drugs to take part."

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

This Saturday, Kentuckians can choose from at least 50 locations to find the closest place to dispose of their prescription drugs. To view locations near your zip code, county or city, click here.

In April, Kentucky collected a total of 9,843 pounds of unused prescription drugs, preventing medication misuse and addiction from the beginning.

"Safely disposing of prescription drugs means we can create safe spaces for those in recovery," Office of Drug Control Policy Executive Director Van Ingram said. "Only together can we keep reducing overdose deaths and support treatment resources, and National Prescription Drug Take Back Day can be the first step for so many. If you or a loved one need help now, know there are resources out there for you to get help today."

Kentuckians who are unable to make it to one of the event locations on Oct. 25 can safely dispose of their prescription drugs at 200 different drug disposal locations throughout 87 counties. To find a prescription drug disposal location, click here.

Fight Against Addiction
Gov. Beshear has continued to fight the state's drug epidemic since his time as attorney general, when he led the nation in the number of individual opioid lawsuits filed by an attorney general. Now, Gov. Beshear is working to make sure the hundreds of millions of dollars in settlement funds go to treatment and the communities impacted.

The Beshear administration has certified a total of 31 counties as Recovery Ready Communities, providing residents with access to addiction treatment and recovery support while removing barriers to the workforce. This represents more than 1.7 million Kentuckians and builds on the progress of three straight years of declines in overdose related deaths in Kentucky.

Recently, Gov. Beshear banned the drug bromazolam, or "Designer Xanax," from being sold in Kentucky, providing law enforcement the ability to make arrests for sales or possession.

The state's Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment, and the Recovery Ready certification helps communities support residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction.

The Beshear-Coleman administration created a website to help people in recovery find housing, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org, and a website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery, SecondChance.ky.gov. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.

Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357).

Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at FindHelpNowKy.org. Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as at FindNaloxoneNowKy.org and FindMentalHealthNowKy.org.

Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find one of KSP's 16 posts, where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program. The Angel Initiative is completely voluntary, and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment.

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