Household Medication Take-Back Program

Protect our water and environment!

Flushing or dumping prescription medication down a drain is not a good way to dispose of it. Minor amounts of medication can enter the environment, contaminate drinking water, and affect people and wildlife. Help protect Colorado’s most precious resources by taking your meds back to secure collection boxes!

The drug take-back effort aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

You may drop off the following items at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Highlands Ranch Substation, 9250 Zotos Drive in Highlands Ranch on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Items will not be accepted on holidays.

Items That You Can Drop Off :

  • Prescription medications, including
    prescribed controlled substances (DEA
    Schedule II– V).
  • Over-the-counter medications.
    Liquid medications (small amounts in
    original, non-leaking containers).
  • Medicated patches (Used Fentanyl and
    Duragesic® patches are extremely
    hazardous. They may be folded in half,
    sticky-side together, and flushed down
    the toilet.)
  • Medication samples.
  • Medicated ointments.
  • Vitamins.
  • Pet medications.
  • Unused drug injection cartridges, e.g.
    unused EpiPens® and insulin pens (must
    be unused with needle still protected
    inside).
  • Unused inhaler canisters, e.g. Advair®,
    Spiriva®, ProAir® and Ventolin® (must be
    unused, no empty canisters or unneeded
    plastic holders/mouth pieces).

Items That You Cannot Drop Off :

  • Marijuana.
  • Illicit drugs (e.g. DEA Schedule I
    drugs like heroin, LSD, etc).
  • Needles, syringes, and other sharps.
  • Chemotherapy drugs.
  • Medical tools and supplies.
  • Bloody or infectious waste.
  • Personal care products.
  • Thermometers.
  • Empty containers.
  • Medication wastes generated by
    health care facilities, including
    nursing homes.

 Want to dispose of your medicines yourself? Please view the regulations on proper disposal and learn more about authorized collectors.