Oct. 26: DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

On Saturday, October 26th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., local law enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 18th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal participating agencies. The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected a total of nearly 11 million pounds (more than 5,400 tons) of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. This weekend, more than 6,000 collection sites manned by nearly 5,000 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps).

National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local partners.

Participating Contra Costa Agencies include:

• Antioch Police Department
• Brentwood Police Department
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – Blackhawk Station
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – Danville Station
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – Valley Station
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – Lafayette Station
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – Orinda Police Station
• Contra Costa County Sheriff – Bay Station
• Oakley Police Department
• Pittsburg Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
• San Ramon Police Department

For the address to each location, click here