Expressing our opinions has never been easier. We have more ways to make our voices heard, fewer barriers to communication, and the world’s knowledge quite literally at our fingertips.
And yet.
We seem to be losing the ability to do something remarkably simple: disagree with one another. We can broadcast our opinions to the world in an instant, but struggle to sit across from someone who sees things differently. We have no shortage of opportunities to speak, but seem increasingly uncomfortable with the very conversations that might challenge our thinking.
This was one of many challenges we discussed last week at the inaugural Idaho Free Speech Summit, which we hosted in partnership with the University of Idaho College of Law and Boise State University’s Institute for Advancing American Values. Our goal was simple: put people with different views in the same room and have them talk to, and listen to, each other.
We heard from legislators navigating partisan divides, students struggling to engage face-to-face in an increasingly online world, former federal regulators discussing the unintended consequences of regulating speech, and grassroots media working to make their voices heard. One thing that became clear throughout the day was that though our rights and ideals have endured centuries of challenges, preserving them requires active effort from all of us.
As Americans, we seem to widely agree that the political temperature is rising, and our skills for handling it are dwindling. That concern came to the forefront as I sat down with Governor Spencer Cox of Utah for a one-on-one discussion. Just the night before, I read a sobering report in the New York Timesabout the threats of violence directed at elected officials in America. It’s a reality that Governor Cox is all too familiar with. He shared the experience of receiving the news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination as it unfolded in Utah and the chilling effect it has had on free speech.
Yet, despite that experience and the fact that he himself is the target of vitriol, Governor Cox is hopeful. He pointed to a large but quiet segment of the population that is exhausted by the rhetoric. There is a hunger for a better way. What we lack, he offered, are the skills to disagree well. It’s the idea behind his nationwide Disagree Better initiative. He pleaded for more architects and fewer arsonists, for us to work on building relationships and finding solutions rather than tearing one another down.
So what can you and I do? I think we can start by getting a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable. That means being willing to have difficult conversations, listening to people we disagree with, and recognizing that we don’t have to change someone’s mind to learn something from them. It means building relationships that are strong enough to withstand disagreement.
This was the first of what I hope will become an annual Free Speech Summit. There’s so much more to discuss, and even more to learn. I’m grateful to everyone who filled the room, brought their perspectives to the conversation, and perhaps most importantly, came willing to listen.
Phil McGrane
ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
Children Can Become Big Business for Government What is the “15 of 22” rule, and why did Idaho shorten it to 12 of 22 months?
By: Idaho Representative Heather Scott
Idaho Representative Heather Scott
I can’t imagine a child spending an entire childhood moving from foster home to foster home. Children need safety, stability, and people who love them. But I also cannot accept the idea of rushing a child away from his or her own family when a safe parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other relative is ready and willing to help.
I recently learned more about a federal rule called “15 of 22.” Under the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, states generally must file a petition to terminate parental rights once a child has spent 15 of the most recent 22 months in foster care, unless an exception applies. The purpose was to prevent children from drifting through the system for years without a permanent home.
Idaho has now shortened that timeline to 12 of the most recent 22 months in the Department of Health and Welfare’s custody. Under the 2026 change, the Department generally must file a termination petition before the last day of the 12th month, unless the court finds a listed exception. That doesn’t mean a parent automatically loses their rights at 12 months as a judge must still decide whether the legal grounds for termination have been proven and whether termination is in the child’s best interests.
But this is where I have questions. If the state can move faster toward terminating parental rights, shouldn’t it also move faster to help safe families reunite? And shouldn’t it act just as quickly when a grandparent or another relative offers a safe home?
What About Grandparents and Other Family Members?
The Idaho Legislature has already recognized the value of keeping children connected to people they know. In 2025, legislators passed House Bill 245 to help create a faster licensing path for kinship caregivers. In 2026, Senate Bill 1266 expanded expedited placement eligibility to trusted kin. Those changes reflect an important principle: when children cannot safely stay with their parents, suitable family members and trusted people should be seriously considered, not treated as an afterthought.
So why do I continue to hear from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who say they were never contacted, were turned away, or were denied meaningful contact with children they love? A parent’s failure or mistake does not automatically mean an entire extended family is unsafe. Each person and each proposed placement deserves a fair, individual assessment.
I have also heard from Idaho constituents who say they offered to take children and later found records stating that no family was available. Others have claimed that statements made in caseworker reports were completely fabricated. These are serious allegations, not findings I can make from an email or a phone call. But when families bring forward documents that appear to contradict the state’s records, who checks the facts? How does the family correct the record before months have passed? And who hold a dishonest social worker accountable.
The state should be able to explain when relatives were contacted, which relatives offered to help, why a placement was approved or denied, and whether those decisions were reviewed. Families should not have to wonder whether the paperwork tells the whole story.
What Happens When the Clock Keeps Running?
When a child is removed from a home, the Department generally must work toward safe reunification. Idaho’s 12-of-22-month rule includes exceptions when the child is placed permanently with a relative, when compelling reasons show termination is not in the child’s best interests, or when the Department has failed to make reasonable reunification efforts.
Those exceptions matter. But what happens if counseling or visits are delayed? What if relatives are not promptly evaluated? What if parents are told to complete services but cannot get an appointment for months? The clock may keep running while the family is waiting for the state to act.
There is another issue. Idaho Code allows a court, under specific conditions, to consider a child’s strong bond with a substitute caregiver in deciding whether termination is in the child’s best interests. Of course, children form bonds with the adults who care for them. But if the state delays family contact or relative placement, could those delays help create the very circumstances later used to justify permanent separation? That is a fair question for legislators to examine.
And what about visitation? Parents may challenge efforts to restrict their visits under Idaho Juvenile Rule 47B, which calls for supporting affidavits and court review. Relatives do not automatically have the same visitation rights. Still, when contact with grandparents or siblings is safe, why should children lose those relationships simply because a parent is struggling?
Follow the Money And Follow the Records
I have also begun looking at the money involved in foster care, adoption, and guardianship. There are federal funds for foster care and adoption assistance, and federal law contains incentive formulas tied to qualifying increases in adoptions and some guardianships.
I continue to suspect that unrelated adoptions receive more bonus money than a relative adoption, but have not been able to confirmed this yet.
For example, an approved or licensed foster family may receive foster-care payments while caring for a child. An unlicensed relative may not qualify for the same assistance. Some guardianship funding has different eligibility rules from adoption assistance. Idaho’s state-funded guardianship assistance generally requires that parental rights have already been terminated or that the parents have died, along with documentation of unsuccessful efforts to place the child for adoption. That creates a legitimate question: are safe relatives being offered meaningful support early enough, especially when they hope to care for a child without permanently severing every legal family tie?
The federal formula also distinguishes among categories. It includes $5,000 for certain increases in foster-child adoptions and $4,000 for certain increases in foster-child guardianships, with additional calculations for older age groups. Those are state-level program formulas, not a flat payment for each child removed or a reward for choosing a stranger. The real question is how Idaho receives, budgets, and uses child-welfare funding, and whether those decisions support reunification and kinship care as effectively as adoption.
I would like to see the numbers: How many children were placed with relatives versus unrelated foster families? How many willing relatives were denied, and why? How long did approval take? How often did family visits stop? How much federal incentive funding did Idaho receive, and exactly how was that money spent? Taxpayers and families deserve answers grounded in records.
Know Your Rights Before a Crisis
Parents should also understand their legal rights. Idaho Code § 16-1649 requires notice of important rights, including the right to refuse entry into their home and to decline questioning, absent a court order authorizing the particular action. The Department itself tells parents they may refuse entry or an interview, but it may seek a court order or law-enforcement assistance if it cannot determine that a child is safe. Genuine emergencies can raise additional legal issues and parents should never obstruct a lawful order or emergency response.
If a child-protection worker comes to your home, remain calm, ask for identification, ask whether there is a court order, and consider speaking with a qualified attorney before consenting to interviews or searches. Keep copies of notices and written communications. Do not ignore a court hearing or deadline.
Parents can also make plans in advance. Idaho law permits a parent to name a guardian for a minor child in a will. A written family emergency plan can identify trusted relatives and important contact information. These steps may help a court or agency understand the parent’s wishes, but they do not override child-safety requirements or guarantee a particular foster-care placement.
I believe the state has an obligation to protect children from abuse and neglect. It also has an obligation to respect parental rights, follow the law, consider safe relatives, and provide honest information to the courts. Those duties should work together.
As a legislator, I want a closer look at whether Idaho’s faster termination timeline is matched by faster reunification services, meaningful visitation protections, prompt kinship assessments, accurate case records, and transparent use of public funds.
A child should not remain in danger simply because adults want to keep a family together. But neither should a child lose an entire safe family because a process moved too slowly, an important name was left off a form, a social worker fudged the data to favor a foster parent, or no one stopped to ask whether there was another way.
We should be asking one simple question: Is Idaho doing everything reasonably possible to keep children safe and connected to their families before making separation permanent?
Information About the Snow Groomer Advisory Committee:
The Bannock County Snow Groomer Advisory Committee (BCSGAC) is comprised of volunteers who reside in Bannock County and are involved in winter recreation. The Board advises the County in providing quality, groomed snowmobile trails and parking/unloading areas for public recreation and enjoyment in Bannock County, pursuant to Idaho Code Title 67 Chapter 71.
The Snow Groomer Advisory Committee typically meets once on the second Tuesday of each month from November through March at 5:15 p.m. in Conference Room 1, Office of Planning and Development Services, 5500 S 5th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho.
Information About the Fair Board:
Fair Board members are volunteers who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve four-year terms. Meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. at the Bannock County Exhibit Hall, 225 West Center, Downey
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, October 23, 2026)
Washington, D.C.–Nursing students and licensed nurses interested in working in a nursing home may now qualify for up to $40,000 in student loan repayment and/or a $10,000 stipend in exchange for a three-year commitment to serve in a qualifying nursing home in a rural or higher labor-shortage area through a new $275 million nationwide initiative announced today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The Nurses for Nursing Homes initiative is expected to support more than 4,000 nurses nationwide. Funded through civil monetary penalties collected by CMS and states from nursing homes, the initiative directs resources to licensed nurses and nursing students who provide hands-on care to nursing home residents. CMS has committed $100 million, with states committing at least an additional $175 million.
“President Trump is strengthening the nursing workforce that millions of older Americans rely on every day,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This initiative will recruit and retain thousands of nurses, expand care in rural and high-need communities, and create new pathways into long-term care careers. We are putting resources directly behind the nurses who care for our seniors and strengthening the quality, stability, and dignity of nursing home care across America.”
“When we offer student loan repayment through Nurses for Nursing Homes, we’re not just giving nurses and nursing students future financial relief; we’re supporting families who want their loved ones to receive quality care in nursing homes,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Without taking a dime from taxpayers, CMS is empowering the next generation of nurses to pursue their dreams and helping residents form deep bonds with caregivers so they can live happier, healthier lives.”
Staffing is a critical component of nursing home quality and is incorporated into the agency’s Five Star Quality Rating System. Nurses for Nursing Homes is designed to strengthen that workforce by recruiting and retaining eligible nurses in long-term care. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are participating, and 100% of rural nursing facilities are eligible plus additional facilities in higher labor shortage areas, extending Nurses for Nursing Homes to communities that often face significant staffing challenges. CMS is working with workforce partners, who will work with nursing homes and nursing schools across the country to recruit eligible nurses, connect them with opportunities, and build a pipeline of nurses into long-term care.
To receive payments, nurses accepted into Nurses for Nursing Homes must:
Hold an active RN or LPN/LVN license at the time that the candidate begins their employment.
Work at least 30 hours per week at a qualifying nursing home.
Have eligible student loan debt; or for those without student loan debt, have graduated within the past two years to qualify for a stipend.
Not have worked in a nursing home for at least 60 days before opening an application account and starting an application. During the first 90 days of the initiative (Oct. 26, 2026, to Jan. 24, 2027), an exception applies to RNs and LPNs/LVNs who began working in an eligible nursing home between July 28, 2026, through Oct. 25, 2026.
Commit to three years of service at an eligible Medicare-, Medicaid-, or dually certified long-term care facility.
Nursing students, recent graduates, and licensed nurses can visit www.nursesfornursinghomes.cms.gov to review eligibility requirements, open an account, find open positions at eligible nursing homes, and learn how to apply.
(Idaho Department of Labor Press Release, October 20, 2026)
The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the department’s Pocatello office. The address is 430 N. 5th Ave.
The event is from 1 to 4 p.m.
Employers attending include All Ways Caring HomeCare, Bannock County, City of Blackfoot, Equus Workforce Solutions, Great Rift Transportation, H&H Treatment Programs, Idaho Youth Ranch, Lamb Weston, SME Steel, Transportation Security Administration, Virginia Transformer Corp and more.
Open positions available include behavioral intervention specialists, assistant deputy sheriffs, wastewater collections operators, forklift operators, electricians, food service workers, customer service specialists, maintenance technicians and others.
Job seekers are encouraged to attend an interviewing workshop, Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 4 p.m. to prepare for the hiring event at the Pocatello office.
(Idaho Fish and Game Press Release, October 24, 2026)
On the morning of Friday, Oct. 23, Idaho Fish and Game officers responded to a report of two adult moose lingering in an “island” of open space within the I-15 and I-86 system interchange in Pocatello.
In the interest of public safety, both moose—a cow and a bull—were dispatched and removed from the area. The meat from both moose was donated to local families.
Seeing moose in urban situations like this is nothing new in southeast Idaho. Fish and Game responds to reports of moose in neighborhoods, shopping centers, schools, cemeteries, golf courses, and busy roadways. Most of the time, moose either move safely out of the areas on their own or are sometimes captured and relocated by Idaho Fish and Game. In fact, the cow moose in Friday’s situation was bearing an ear tag which indicated she had been moved from the Chubbuck area just last year.
So, why was the response to these two moose on the interstate a lethal one? It boiled down to location and risk to public safety.
Both moose were lingering in the open triangle of space wedged between two very busy interstates— I-15 and I-86. Even if they had been left alone, the moose would have had no choice but to cross lanes of traffic in order to leave that space.
Additionally, when immobilizing moose or other large game animals, the effects of the sedatives are not immediate. When an animal is first “darted”, it will quickly bolt— often running a substantial distance– before it is incapacitated by the sedating effects of the tranquilizer. Due to the proximity of the moose to lanes of traffic on all sides of the triangle in which they were standing, there was a significant risk to public safety if darted moose aimlessly crossed in front of oncoming motorists.
“Decisions like this one are not made lightly,” said Regional Conservation Officer Tim Klucken. “None of us enjoy having to take these kinds of actions, but public safety comes first. As sad as it is to have to kill two moose, sadder still would be injuries or loss of human life if a motorist had collided with one of these animals.”
Many may remember that in September of this year, a 66-year-old man from Pocatello was fatally injured after his vehicle struck an elk standing in the northbound lane on I-15 near the Utah/Idaho border. That same month, three vehicles were involved in a collision with a moose on I-86 in Power County, resulting in injuries to some of those involved.
“Right now we have changing weather and breeding behaviors that are causing big game to move,” Klucken reminds the public. “Keep an eye out for wildlife near roadways, especially in the early morning and at night when animals are often more active and harder to see. Don’t hesitate to contact Fish and Game or other law enforcement if you see a dangerous situation like the one we had with these moose on the system interchange in Pocatello.”
I grew up in the Foreign Service. From the moment of my birth in Spain through subsequent postings in Canada, Paraguay, Chile, and Venezuela, my father’s work as a Foreign Service Officer defined not only his career but the course of my own life. Along the way, I was deeply impressed by the professionalism and patriotism of the Foreign Service and am honored now to work alongside many of its distinguished members.
The Department of State cannot afford to sit around and wait for the next generation of American diplomats to emerge. We must invest now in the talent required to advance American statecraft if our country is to successfully navigate the complex, emerging threats to our national interests.
I am pleased to announce here that the Department is renewing the Pickering, Rangel, and Payne Fellowships as part of that effort: We will recruit nationwide, select for merit, invest in talent, and prepare exceptional Americans to serve their country.
And, if you take this leap into the unknown, we will ensure that you are rewarded for excellence with unparalleled opportunities.
Merit-Based Selection
These fellowships serve an important purpose. They allow the Department to identify promising Americans early in their careers, support rigorous graduate education, provide substantive experience in Washington and overseas, and prepare fellows for the demands of diplomatic service.
Our objective is to build a highly capable cadre of future Foreign Service talent. The opportunity is earned based on merit, our investment is tied to service, and their talent will be in service of the American people.
Nationwide Opportunity
We will search across the country – from our heartland to our territories – for talented students, including those who have never imagined representing the United States overseas. We will cast a wide net while maintaining a high bar.
We will select candidates based on academic achievement, intellectual curiosity and analytical rigor, commitment to public service, and demonstrated potential across the Foreign Service’s 11 competencies. We will ensure successful candidates have the skills, abilities, and qualities essential to succeed in the Foreign Service.
An Education Worthy of the Mission
Fellows will pursue graduate education through Department-approved programs in the Washington, D.C. area where they will study at institutions and with practitioners who shape foreign policy. The State Department will evaluate programs against curriculum standards tied to the workforce needs of American diplomacy.
We are preparing American diplomats to represent America. Using this approach, approved programs will compete to attract fellows, and the institutions will have a strong incentive to offer high-quality preparation and meaningful value. Approved programs must prepare Fellows to understand America, defend its interests, and represent the American people with confidence abroad.
We are backing this commitment with resources. Under the redesigned fellowships, annual support for living expenses rises from $18,000 to $33,000, and annual support for tuition rises from $24,000 to $55,000.
This reflects reality. Over the past two decades, prices have increased and the old awards were not sufficient. Great diplomats should not be lost because education is expensive.
Starting Small, but With Purpose
Starting with focused cohorts will allow the Department to provide more oversight, mentoring, professional development, and accountability while evaluating the redesigned model.
Fellows must demonstrate they are prepared to meet the standards expected of future Foreign Service Officers. The redesigned fellowships will establish clear milestones for entry into the Fellowship program.
To be considered, candidates must successfully pass the Foreign Service Officer Test and the written exercise portion of the Foreign Service Officer Assessment.
The Search Begins
America’s next great diplomats are out there.
Some are already studying international affairs. Others may be studying economics, history, technology, business, or law. Some grew up imagining a career in diplomacy; others have never met a Foreign Service Officer.
They may come from Montana or Manhattan, Appalachia or Arizona, a military family, or a family with no history of public service. What unites them is not where they come from or where they went to school–it should be their ability and their willingness to serve the United States.
We want a Foreign Service capable of meeting a demanding moment in American history. Building that Service requires searching more broadly, investing wisely, and demanding excellence.
Talent. Curiosity. A willingness to serve. If you have those qualities, we want to hear from you.
More information is found here: careers.state.gov.
The U.S. Foreign Service Is Calling. Step Forward.
Christopher Landau was sworn in as the 23rd Deputy Secretary of State on March 25, 2025. Deputy Secretary Landau is a former Ambassador to Mexico who also grew up overseas in a Foreign Service family. In addition to his professional and personal experience in diplomacy, he brings an extensive legal background to his current position.
Dorothy Moon, Chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party
Folks, we are coming down to the wire. Just one more week of early voting, and then Election Day will be here before we know it. Countless hours of campaigning, door knocking, phone banking, and millions of dollars in donations all come down to one final night.
I’m so excited to see momentum turning against Proposition 1, the radical abortion initiative. From the beginning, I have believed that Idahoans would reject this extreme measure, and it’s been great to see so many come alongside us in this campaign to protect unborn life. I agree with Gov. Brad Little, who said, “Proposition 1 simply goes too far.”
It does go too far. Despite what you might be hearing from radio or TV ads, Prop 1 was designed to open the door to abortion in Idaho, period. They want you to think Prop 1 is necessary to protect women in life-threatening situations, but they’re not telling you that our laws already protect women at all stages of pregnancy. This initiative is being sold as a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist and is worded in such a way as to potentially legalize abortion into the ninth month of pregnancy.
Prop 1 changes the definition of “viability.” Right now, medical science has enabled us to save the lives of babies born prematurely, even months early. But under Prop 1, abortion would be legal, no questions asked, up to the point where a baby can survive without extraordinary measures.
Prop 1 would eliminate parental consent, allowing minor girls to get abortions without their parents even knowing. Heck, kids can’t even take a Tylenol without a permission slip, but we’re going to let them get abortions? Give me a break.
Why are they pushing this so hard? Are they offended that Idahoans value life, even preborn children? The fact that even one state in the union stood up to say, “No, we will not allow the wholesale murder of the unborn here,” was too much, which is why millions of dollars in out-of-state money have poured into trying to convince you to vote yes.
But I know the people of Idaho—hardworking, self-sacrificing believers in faith, family, and freedom—which is why I know this campaign isn’t going to work. I firmly believe Idahoans will reject Prop 1 on November 3.
But this won’t happen without you. If you stay home this election, then your voice will not be heard, and your values will not be respected. Go vote. Vote early, vote absentee, vote on Election Day—whatever works best for you. Take ten friends with you to the polling place. Generations of Idahoans yet unborn are depending on you.
(National Park Service Press Release, October 19, 2026)
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service and National Park Foundation invite people across the country to enter the free ticket lottery for the 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting at The White House and President’s Park. The ceremony will take place Dec. 3 on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C.
The lottery will open at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and close at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Enter online at National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Recreation.gov. There is no charge to enter the lottery or receive tickets.
Lottery winners will be notified on Thursday, Nov. 12. Each winner may receive up to five tickets. Entering the lottery does not guarantee tickets. Tickets are free and may not be sold or transferred for commercial gain.
For more than a century, the National Christmas Tree Lighting has brought people together beneath the winter sky at the White House and President’s Park. The National Christmas Tree Lighting will celebrate sounds of the season and the spirit of our nation through live performances, holiday music and the shared joy of the season.
The tradition began in 1923. Today, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation proudly carry it forward, welcoming families and friends from across the country to celebrate the sounds, traditions and spirit of the holiday season together.
Ticket holders will receive additional information about arrival, accessibility, security screening and prohibited items before the ceremony. Event information and updates will be available at thenationaltree.org and nps.gov/whho.
About the National Park Service
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of America’s national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with millions of people every year. Learn more at nps.gov.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation is the nation’s most trusted way for people to support America’s national parks. We work with the National Park Service and partners across the country to fund priority projects that keep parks strong, relevant, and accessible. This work helps ensure parks continue to inspire pride across the country and offer experiences that create meaningful connection. In 2025, NPF funded $100 million in on-the-ground priority projects nationwide, made possible through the generosity of donors, to advance critical work, including infrastructure, restoration, education, and access, ensuring parks continue to endure for generations to come. Learn more at nationalparks.org.
(Attorney General’s Office Press Release, October 22, 2026)
BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador is promoting community awareness and participation in [today’s] National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its state and local partners. This initiative provides easy, anonymous opportunities to remove unused, expired, or leftover medicines in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse and theft. Collection sites across Idaho will be open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM this Saturday.
“Drug abuse has been a plague in our communities and the costs to society are plain to see,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Often, addiction can begin with abuse of prescriptions in the home. Idahoans can make a big difference by getting these unused or expired pills out of the house and stopping that easy gateway to addiction.”
All prescription drugs will be accepted at this event, as well as over-the-counter and veterinary medications. The Take Back Day collection site will also accept vape pens, cartridges, or other e-cigarette devices (without the batteries in the device). Needles will not be accepted.
Nationally, almost 14 million Americans over the age of 12 misused prescription drugs in 2025, with opioids and painkillers being the highest category of misused drugs. In 2022, an estimated 40,000 Idahoans aged 12 and older misused prescription pain relievers. Results from the 2021 Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that nearly 14% of Idaho 9-12th graders reported they had misused a prescription drug one or more times in their life, and Idaho’s reported youth abuse of prescription drugs was more than double the national average. While a majority of Idaho youth did not report misusing prescription drugs, of those that did, over 40% took or received them from a family member or friend, and nearly 75% misused the medication in their own home.
Since 2023, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office has recovered more than $127 million for Idaho in lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies that aggressively marketed prescription opioids despite knowing their products were dangerously addictive.
If you miss your local Take Back Day and need to dispose of prescription medications, find a year-round drop-off location online at Idaho’s Office of Drug Policy.
To learn more about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency’s website at www.dea.gov/takebackday
