Montana Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set for Saturday With Statewide Collection Sites

BILLINGS — Montana residents can safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs this Saturday during the biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with collection sites available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. across the state.

The Drug Enforcement Administration event comes as Montana faces concerning prescription drug abuse statistics. According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, 13.5% of Montana high school students report using prescription medications without a prescription.

“We all know unused prescriptions, particularly opioids, pose a danger to Montanans, especially to children,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. “We encourage everyone to participate in the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day by cleaning out their medicine cabinets. It’s a quick and easy way to help make our communities safer.”

Montana demonstrated strong participation in the last Take Back Day held in April, with residents turning in 1,229 pounds of prescription drugs at 20 collection sites. Nineteen law enforcement agencies participated in the April event. Since the program began, Montana has collected a total of 59,506 pounds of prescription drugs.

Major Collection Centers

Billings offers the most extensive coverage with 16 collection sites, including multiple Albertsons/Osco locations, CVS pharmacies, Walgreens, Walmart, and hospital pharmacies throughout the city.

Missoula provides 17 collection sites spanning from North Reserve Street to South Avenue, including options at Costco, multiple CVS and Walgreens locations, and hospital pharmacies.

Great Falls residents can choose from 11 locations, including Walmart Pharmacy on 10th Avenue South and CVS Pharmacy on North Montana Avenue.

Helena offers 10 collection sites, including Walgreens on Last Chance Gulch and CVS Pharmacy on North Montana Avenue.

Bozeman provides seven collection sites, including Walmart Pharmacy on West Main Street and Albertsons/Osco on South 23rd Avenue.

Kalispell serves the Flathead Valley with eight collection sites, including Walmart Pharmacy on West Idaho Street and Walgreens on West Idaho Street.

The initiative targets what officials call a “gateway to opioid addiction.” Medicines that remain in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

During the April 2025 event nationally, 4,472 law enforcement participants at 4,590 collection sites brought in 620,321 pounds of drugs. This brought the program’s total collection to 19.8 million pounds since its inception.

Year-Round Options

Montana also maintains permanent prescription drug disposal locations at many pharmacies, hospitals and health centers throughout the year. These locations can be found at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website.

Collection sites accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids, needles, and sharps are not accepted at most locations.

For specific collection site locations and more information about Saturday’s Take Back Day event, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or contact local law enforcement agencies.