Hilliard residents have two free options for safely disposing of unused or expired medications on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Hilliard Division of Police will host a drive-thru drop-off at its station at 5171 Northwest Parkway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the city of Hilliard. The Kroger pharmacy at 4656 Cemetery Road will also accept medications during the same hours as part of a regional Kroger effort, Columbus Navigator reported.
Both events are part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
What each site accepts
The two locations differ in what they take. The police station accepts only pills through its drive-thru service. Needles, sharps, asthma inhalers and illicit drugs will not be accepted at the police drop box, according to the city.
The city asks residents to black out personal information, including names and addresses, on prescription bottles before dropping them off. The Hilliard Division of Police is partnering with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) to recycle the bottles.
Acceptance of liquids, gels and patches varies by location; residents should confirm with the Cemetery Road pharmacy before bringing those items. Drop-offs at Kroger happen outside the store, not inside.
The police station drop-off is anonymous with no questions asked. No paperwork is required at either location.
Part of a national effort
The DEA coordinates the nationwide take-back initiative. Locally, the Cardinal Health Foundation supports the Kroger events. By April 2026, Kroger Health’s events had collected about 234,000 pounds of medication since 2018, according to Columbus Navigator.
Fourteen other Kroger pharmacies across Central Ohio are also participating Saturday, including stores in Columbus, Gahanna, Grove City, Powell and Westerville.
Year-round option
Residents who miss Saturday's event can still use the prescription drug drop-off box in the lobby of the Hilliard Safety Services Building. That box accepts pills and capsules year-round.
