The Oct. 24 take-back is over, but the police drug box in the City Hall lobby takes unused pills free, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. No needles or liquids.

Johns Creek police collected unused and expired medicines from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Kroger at 10945 State Bridge Road. If you missed it, the department’s drug box in the City Hall lobby takes the same items every weekday.

Updated Oct. 26: the take-back has been held. The city has not published a collection total; we will add it if it does. The City Hall drop box details below are current.

The city announced the event on Oct. 3. It is the Johns Creek Police Department’s part in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take-Back Day. The city said the day gives people a safe way to get rid of prescription drugs and teaches them about the potential for abuse of medications.

What the Oct. 24 event took

  • When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
  • Where: Kroger, 10945 State Bridge Road
  • What to bring: unused or expired medications
  • Not accepted: needles
  • Questions: the Police Department at 678-474-1607 (the number the city gave for the event)

The year-round option: City Hall

The Police Department keeps a drug drop box in the City Hall lobby all year. Use is free and anonymous, the department says.

  • Where: City Hall lobby, 11360 Lakefield Drive
  • When: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • How: ask the clerk at the Police Records window for a secure bag. The clerk unlocks the box so you can put the bagged items in.
  • Accepted: legal prescriptions that are not liquid
  • Liquids: the department gives out Deterra bags to take home for liquid medicines, supplied by the One Johns Creek Coalition
  • Not accepted: syringe needles

The department collected 122.8 pounds of unused or expired medication in 2025, its drop box page says.

What it means for you

  • Still have old pills at home? Bag them up and take them to the City Hall lobby on a weekday. You do not have to wait for the next take-back day.
  • Keep needles out. The City Hall box does not take them.
  • Liquid medicines: ask at the Police Records window for a Deterra bag to use at home.

More events around town are on our things to do page, and the Police Department’s published items appear in our Police and Fire log.