Katy Residents Rally Behind Safe Medication Disposal at DEA Take Back Day
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Katy-area families joined forces with local law enforcement to take a stand for community health and safety during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event, hosted at the Katy ISD Law Enforcement Center by the Katy ISD Police Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), provided residents with a secure and anonymous way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications.
Throughout the day, residents dropped off a steady stream of prescription containers—ranging from expired antibiotics to potent painkillers—helping prevent these drugs from being misused, stolen, or ending up in local landfills or waterways.
“Events like this help protect our families and keep dangerous medications out of the wrong hands,” said Katy ISD Police Chief David Rider. “We are grateful to our community for showing up and helping us make a positive impact.”
The initiative was part of the DEA’s nationwide 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a program created to address the growing public health concern surrounding prescription drug abuse. Since its launch in 2010, Take Back Day has led to the safe collection of more than 20 million pounds of medications nationwide.
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Local Action, National Impact
The Katy ISD Police Department hosts the event annually, emphasizing the importance of not only removing dangerous drugs from homes but also raising awareness about the environmental consequences of improper medication disposal.
“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects our shared commitment to protecting the American people from drug-related harm,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole in a national statement. “This effort brings together law enforcement, public health, and communities in a unified mission – keeping homes safe, preventing the misuse of prescription drugs before it starts, and saving lives.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi also praised the effort: “Prescription drugs may be legal, but they are still powerful – and can present significant risk to those in your household.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100,000 Americans die each yearfrom drug poisonings or overdose deaths. Many of these tragic losses begin with medications left unattended in a household.
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Missed the Event? Permanent Drop-Off Sites Available
If you weren’t able to make it out to Take Back Day this year, several authorized collection sites in Katy offer year-round prescription disposal, including:
- CVS Pharmacy – 602 W. Grand Pkwy South, Katy, TX 77494 (MAP)
- Walgreens – 411 S. Mason Rd., Katy, TX 77450 (MAP)
- CVS Pharmacy – 322 Cane Island Pkwy, Katy, TX 77494 (MAP)
- Randalls – 525 South Fry Rd., Katy, TX 77450 (MAP)
- Walmart Pharmacy – 20903 Highland Knolls Drive, Katy, TX 77450 (MAP)
- CVS Pharmacy – 10522 Spring Green Blvd., Katy, TX 77494 (MAP)
- Walgreens – 6802 S. Fry Rd., Katy, TX 77494 (MAP)
Nearby Houston locations such as Randalls at 18322 Clay Rd. (MAP) and Walgreens at 1710 Fry Rd. (MAP) also participate in year-round drug disposal programs.
You can find additional nearby locations anytime using the DEA Collection Locator at dea.gov/takebackday.
Helping Katy Stay Safe and Healthy
This year’s event in Katy echoed a larger national call to action: clean out your medicine cabinet, secure your home, and help prevent prescription drug misuse before it begins. The collaborative spirit shown by the Katy ISD Police Department, the DEA, and local residents continues to shape a safer, more responsible community.
For those interested in future Take Back Day events or safe disposal guidelines, visit dea.gov/takebackday.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
