Carbon and Emery Counties Host Prescription Drug Take-Back Event

Utah State University Extension - HEART organizes biannual drive to safely dispose of expired medications

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:21pm

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph showing the translucent, ghostly outlines of prescription pill bottles, syringes, and vaping devices against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the safe disposal of unwanted medications.A community-driven effort to safely dispose of unused medications aims to curb substance abuse and protect the environment.Huntington Today

Utah State University Extension - HEART is hosting a prescription drug take-back event on Saturday, April 18 in Carbon and Emery Counties. The drive-up event allows residents to anonymously dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications, powders, pills, liquids, sharps, syringes, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices. The goal is to combat substance abuse by providing a safe and environmentally-friendly way to get rid of potentially dangerous drugs.

Why it matters

Prescription drug misuse and overdose are major public health issues, with many people obtaining medications from friends and family. This take-back event aims to remove those unused drugs from homes and prevent them from being misused. It also helps protect the environment by ensuring proper disposal instead of flushing or landfilling.

The details

The take-back event will be held at two locations - in Carbon County on Main Street in Price, and in Emery County at the Huntington Fire Station. In addition to collecting medications, the event will feature food, community organizations, and representatives from the Carbon and Emery County Sheriff's Offices. Participants can also learn about local resources for substance use disorder and recovery.

  • The prescription drug take-back event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 12 PM to 2 PM.
  • This is a biannual event hosted by Utah State University Extension - HEART.

The players

Utah State University Extension - HEART

A program within Utah State University that focuses on health education, awareness, and resources, including efforts to combat substance abuse.

Carbon County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency for Carbon County, Utah, which is assisting with the take-back event.

Emery County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency for Emery County, Utah, which is also assisting with the take-back event.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of people, over 50 percent, that use substances that are not prescribed to them actually get them from family and friends who have the best of intentions. But that can be a very slippery slope for someone if they are genetically predisposed to experience that substance use disorder.”

— Dr. Ashley Yaugher, USU Extension - HEART

“A lot of times people think that we only are looking for narcotics or opioids or prescription medications. But we want to get all medications that are expired, or you don't want anymore, including antibiotics, Advil, Tylenol, NSAIDs, anything in your cabinet.”

— Dr. Ashley Yaugher, USU Extension - HEART

What’s next

Residents who miss the April 18 take-back event can find year-round prescription drug drop-off locations and other local resources for substance use disorder and recovery on the USU Extension HEART website.

The takeaway

This prescription drug take-back event provides a safe, anonymous, and environmentally-responsible way for Carbon and Emery County residents to dispose of expired or unwanted medications, helping to combat the ongoing opioid crisis and protect the local community.