Dubois County residents brought unused medications to the fall countywide Medication Collection at the Indiana State Police Post, where organizers collected and disposed of nearly 385 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. A total of 149 participants used the service, which included recycling of participants’ cardboard and plastic bags and distribution of medication minder containers to help with secure storage and adherence.

The collection was hosted at the Indiana State Police Post and coordinated by local organizers working with law enforcement and public health partners. Organizers reported the participation figures and weight of collected medications, framing the event as part of ongoing county efforts to prevent diversion of controlled substances and reduce improper disposal that can lead to accidental poisonings or environmental contamination.

For rural counties such as Dubois, periodic take-back events address both public health and practical barriers. Unused or expired medications kept in home medicine cabinets can be vulnerable to misuse, accidental ingestion by children or older adults, and intentional diversion. Safe disposal programs reduce these risks and remove pharmaceuticals that might otherwise enter local waterways through improper flushing or trash disposal.

Beyond immediate safety benefits, the event’s recycling component signaled attention to environmental stewardship. Cardboard and plastic bags used to transport medications were collected for recycling, aligning the disposal effort with waste reduction practices. The medication minder containers distributed to participants are intended to support safe storage and adherence, especially for older adults and people managing multiple prescriptions.

Public health experts and local officials have encouraged residents to use take-back opportunities because they provide a risk-free method to remove unused drugs without requiring prescriptions or complex procedures. Events like the fall collection are complementary to broader state and federal initiatives aimed at reducing prescription drug misuse and improving medication management, and they often rely on partnerships among law enforcement, health departments, and community organizations.

Organizers described the fall collection as part of an ongoing campaign in Dubois County to curtail diversion and improper disposal. For many community members, access to periodic, local collection events reduces the distance and logistics involved in safely discarding medications. Continued outreach and scheduled collections can be particularly important for vulnerable populations who may lack regular access to pharmacy-based disposal options.

As county agencies evaluate outcomes from this and previous collections, the data — including participation numbers, pounds collected, and materials recycled — will help planners determine how to expand access and target outreach to neighborhoods with higher need. The fall event demonstrated community engagement and practical steps toward reducing local risks associated with unused medications while combining public safety and environmental considerations.