A collaborative effort among local agencies brought community members together Wednesday at the OSU Institute of Technology campus, where residents safely disposed of unused and expired medications during a Medication Take-Back event – part of a broader statewide campaign aimed at protecting public health and the environment.

The event was held in partnership with the Okmulgee County Consortium, CREOKS Behavioral Health Services and the OSU Community Wellness Program, providing a safe, anonymous way for residents to remove potentially dangerous medications from their homes.

Community members dropped off a variety of unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, helping reduce the risk of misuse, accidental poisoning and environmental contamination. Attendees also were able to receive free lock bags and sharps containers.

The take-back effort was supported through a wide-reaching partnership that included the OSUIT Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), OSU Institute of Technology, the OSU Department of Wellness, the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

The local effort comes as Oklahoma ramps up its Spring 2026 Safe Disposal Campaign, launched this week by the Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee (OMSDC) in partnership with DEQ and the Product Stewardship Institute.

The campaign, timed ahead of the upcoming DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, seeks to educate residents on safe disposal practices and expand access to year-round drop-off locations.

Officials say the need is significant. Across Oklahoma, residents generate up to 60 million used medical sharps each year. When these items are improperly thrown in the trash or flushed, they pose serious risks – not only to the environment but also to sanitation workers.

“In addition to the public health and environmental risks, medical sharps that are thrown in the trash can pose a safety hazard to sanitation workers,” said Patrick Riley, environmental programs manager for solid waste and sustainability at DEQ. “We know that safe collection sites are needed, and this program will demonstrate exactly how they can be operated.”

Unlike DEA Take-Back Day, which does not accept sharps, the statewide campaign focuses on expanding access to disposal options for both medications and sharps through a growing network of permanent collection sites.

State officials report increasing public interest in safe disposal programs. During last fall’s campaign, outreach efforts generated more than 119,000 social media impressions and over 1,600 engagements, reflecting growing awareness among residents.

Additionally, the state’s interactive takeback map – which helps users locate nearby drop-off sites – has seen a surge in usage, further highlighting demand for convenient disposal options.

Throughout the spring, OMSDC and its partners will continue outreach efforts through social media, printed materials and partnerships with pharmacies, health departments and community organizations.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of upcoming events and permanent disposal locations, ensuring that unwanted medications and sharps are handled safely year-round.