Does anyone know what to do with the medications left when loved one dies? I don't think I should just trash them.

I know in New Jersey we can take unused medications to the police station for proper disposal

It's the same here. You can call your police dept's non emergency phone number to see if/how they participate in a drug take-back program.

I agree with Tacy, when my mom went into the nursing home I returned all her unused meds to her pharmacy for disposal.

MaryLou, some hospitals have started to have large metal boxes, similar looking to the mailboxes we use to see years ago to deposit mail, to drop in unused medicine.

Or if you think your Mom's doctor may prescribe those dosages again, then store the pills in a cool place, like a linen closet, in a box on a top shelf. Check the pills every now and then and dispose of the ones that will retire soon.

Thank you everyone! Your advice was very helpful. I called the police department and the person who answered didn't know. I had called my parents' pharmacy and they told me to go the the Fire Department. Went to the Fire Department and was told they didn't have anything to hold the medications and none of the departments had it either. So went back to the drawing board -- used the link that @geewiz gave, and found the DEA link! Finally was able to locate a pharmacy that DID do drug disposals!!! Thank so much for all your help :)

Looks like u got an answer to your question. Another way you can do it is put used coffee grounds in a container and mix the pills in. The coffee neutralizes the pills and dissolves them.

WTH? I'm pretty sure there is nothing magical about coffee that neutralizes drugs - medications are hazardous waste and need to be disposed of properly, never flush them or toss them out with the trash!