What you need to know
Travis County constables, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will collect expired, unused or unwanted over-the-counter and prescription drugs from the public.
Pet medications are also accepted; however, syringes are not.
On National Prescription Take Back Day, residents can drop off their medications at any of the five Travis County constable precincts from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
If an individual is unable to participate on the dedicated day, there are a variety of authorized collectors that are available year-round throughout the county, which include the Travis County constable precincts. Find more information here.
The why
Safe disposal helps prevent medication misuse and reduces the risk of opioid addiction, according to county documents.
In 2024 thus far, there have been 829 calls to emergency services in Travis County related to overdoses, according to the Austin Public Health opioid overdose dashboard. Looking back at 2023 data, the agency reported 478 deaths that were the result of accidental overdoses.
“We are all connected, and what affects one of us can affect all of us,” Travis County Deputy Florita Coakley told commissioners Oct. 22. “... [The] DEA drug take back day is one way we serve our constituency as we continue to foster collaborative partnerships that create sustained, safe, diverse and thriving neighborhoods.”
According to the county’s resolution, the DEA has collected 9,285 tons of unwanted prescription drugs since the start of the program in 2010.
