LGPD Taking back unwanted prescription drugs October 24, 2026, in the Safeway parking lot
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, October 16th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
LA GRANDE – (Press release from the La Grande Police Department) On Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the La Grande Police Department, partnering with the Union County Safe Communities Coalition will give the public its opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the La Grande Safeway parking lot, located on the east end of Adams Avenue at 2111 Adams Avenue. (We cannot accept IV solutions, injectables, syringes, chemotherapy medication, illicit substances or anything with batteries.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
- Last spring, Americans turned in 642,410 (321 tons) of prescription drugs at 4,417 collection sites across the United States. The La Grande Police Department was one of 4,306 law enforcement agencies nationwide participating in this event.
- The La Grande Police Department hosts a Fall and Spring take back event and maintains a drug drop box in the lobby of the police department that is available 24/7. You can also use the drop box at Red Cross Drug Store, Grande Ronde Hospital and the Safeway Pharmacy.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 24th Take Back Day event, go to https://med-project.org/locations/oregon/take-back-events/ or contact the La Grande Police Department at 541-963-1017.
