Mark your calendars, Crow Wing County. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., BLADE (Brainerd Lakes Area Drug Education) will host its annual Drug Take Back Day at Super One Foods, 417 8th Ave NE, Brainerd. The event is free, anonymous, and open to everyone — and the impact it creates in our community is very real.

This year marks our third consecutive year partnering with the Brainerd Police Department, the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department, and the DEA to bring this vital service directly to our neighbors. Together, we are taking a proactive stand against one of the most pressing public health challenges our region faces: the dangerous and often tragic consequences of unused prescription medications sitting in our homes.

Why This Matters

Nationally, studies show that 70% of prescription drug misuse starts with pills obtained from family and friends — medications that were once prescribed with good intentions but never disposed of properly. Here in Crow Wing County, our community is not immune to this reality. From 2020 to 2024, there were 2,232 nonfatal opioid overdoses among Central region residents. Crow Wing County recorded 141 nonfatal opioid overdoses over that same five-year period, accounting for 6% of visits in the Central region. While our county’s rate of 0.42 per 1,000 residents falls below both regional and statewide averages, that still represents 141 of our neighbors, friends, and family members — and every one of those incidents is preventable. Removing unused and expired medications from our homes is one of the most direct and impactful steps any of us can take to protect our loved ones.

Drug Take Back Day accepts a wide variety of items: unused, unwanted, or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, including tablets, capsules, patches, and pet medications. In keeping with DEA Diversion Control Division guidelines, the event places particular emphasis on collecting controlled substances such as opioids. It is important to note that medications should not be flushed or poured down the drain — pharmaceutical substances can contaminate our water supply when disposed of improperly. Bringing them to an event like this is the safest and most responsible option.

New This Year

We are proud to welcome Northern Pines Mental Health as a new community partner at this year’s event. Their presence reinforces what Drug Take Back Day is about — not just disposal, but connection to education, support, and community resources.

Also new in 2026, BLADE will be offering FREE Narcan (naloxone) to the first 100 attendees — no questions asked. Narcan is a lifesaving, over-the-counter nasal spray or injection that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and restoring normal breathing within two to three minutes. It is safe to use even when opioids are not present, and it can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. If you are unable to attend our event and would like Narcan, the Crow Wing County Jail has a free vending machine available in their lobby during lobby hours — a resource funded by the BLADE/Opioid Coalition in 2025.

In addition, Crow Wing Public Health and Social Services will be on-site this year, enabling us to also collect sharps and needles safely — expanding our reach even further into the community.

The Proof Is in the Numbers

The momentum behind our local Drug Take Back efforts has been remarkable. At our April 2024 event, we collected 12 pounds of medications. By October 2024, that number grew to 53 pounds. And at our most recent event in April 2025, we collected a record 147 pounds — a testament to the growing awareness and participation in our community. Every pound collected is a step toward a safer home environment for our families.

Year-round disposal options are also available through Take It To The Box locations at the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office and at the Breezy Point, Crosby, Crosslake, Nisswa, and Pequot Lakes Police Departments.

Come Out and Be Part of the Solution

On April 25th, we invite you to join us at Super One in Brainerd and be part of something meaningful. Bring your unwanted medications, meet our BLADE volunteers, local law enforcement, Northern Pines Mental Health staff, and public health partners. Pick up educational materials, grab your free Narcan kit, and help us make our community a safer place — one medicine cabinet at a time.

Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your coworkers. Every person who shows up matters.

BLADE (Brainerd Lakes Area Drug Education) is a community coalition dedicated to reducing substance use through prevention, education, and community action in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Talia Brodhead, CPRS
Manager, Community Engagement
MN Prevention & Recovery Alliance
Know the Truth ™ Prevention Program
Mobile: 651-497-6145
www.mnpra.org