National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Public Service Announcement:  It is not uncommon for many people to have unwanted, unused and expired prescription medications in their homes.  In order to avoid having people either throw these drugs in the trash, flush them down the toilet (and into our water supply), or risk having them stolen and sold on the street, communities across the country participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

In 2016, the time for returning drugs is April 30 from 10:00 to 2:00.

In following years, the date will normally be the last Saturday in April, although you will want to check annually to confirm the correct date and nearest location.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration.  Drugs can be turned in anonymously, no questions asked, in a variety of locations.  In our county in California, the drugs can be returned to virtually any city hall, as well as some hospitals and other public facilities.

Call your local city hall or police department to see where you can turn in unused, unwanted and expired prescription medication or go online to find a location near you.

Below is the link to the DEA website where you can find the collection center that is nearest to you:

DEA Prescription Drug Collection Center Locator

If you missed out on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this year, you may still want to contact your city hall or police department and see if there is a place where you can turn them in at other times.  If no location is available in your area, lock your unwanted prescriptions up and turn them in next year. Most important, make sure you do everything you can to keep them out of the hands of children and other visitors to your home.  They could be dangerous!