Home California DEA Gears Up for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

DEA Gears Up for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

by ECT

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

“The Take Back event addresses not only a public health issue but also public safety,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “These drugs could fall into the wrong hands and harm family members and friends. This is an opportunity for everyone to help prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.”

Needles and sharps cannot be accepted; only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container will be accepted. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Bring your pills for disposal at the following sites.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

  • Office of the Sheriff Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez
  • Office of the Sheriff Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond
  • Office of the Sheriff Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo
  • Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville
  • Lafayette Police Department, 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
  • Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda

Antioch Police Host Its National Take Back Day

The Antioch Police Department will be working with the DEA this Saturday in the front lobby (300 L Street) from 10am-2pm. No syringes, and we do encourage you to remove the labels off of your prescription bottles when possible.

Brentwood Police Host Its National Take Back Day

National Take Back Day aims to provide safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Last year alone, the DEA collected and disposed of 744,082 pounds of prescription drugs.

The Brentwood Police Department has partnered with the DEA to collect any expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs. We will also collect vape pens or other e-cigarette devices only after the batteries have been removed. This is a FREE event!

This is a drive-thru event that will take place between 10AM and 2PM on Saturday, October 29th, in front of the Police Department (9100 Brentwood Blvd)

If possible, please condense all pills into one bottle or one plastic bag. Liquids must be separated from pills and patches. Syringes will not be accepted due to potential safety hazard.


DEA Gears Up for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Event aims to prevent addiction and reduce drug poisoning deaths

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 23rd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This event offers anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.

For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided an easy, no-cost opportunity to dispose of medicines stored in the home that are susceptible to misuse and theft.

Opioid misuse remains at epidemic levels in the United States.  According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.

“I encourage everyone across the country to dispose of unneeded medications to help keep our communities safe and healthy,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The Take Back campaign is part of DEA’s continued efforts to combat the drug poisoning epidemic and protect the safety and health of communities across the United States.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, approximately 107,622 people died as the result of a drug poisoning last year.  This means that someone in the United States is dying of a drug poisoning every five minutes.

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs.  Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs.  Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container.  The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.  The event will also continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.

A location finder and partner toolbox are available at www.DEATakeBack.com for easy reference to nearby collection sites.  Beyond DEA’s Take Back Day, there are also opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at close to 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses prescription disposal locations.  In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

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