DEA To Host Drug Disposal Event in Concord

The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Concord Police Department are hosting a prescription drug “take-back” event on Saturday.

The event will give people an opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. It is the fruit of a 2010 amendment to the U.S.' Controlled Substances Act, called the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, which essentially makes it legal for people who possess prescription drugs to give them to authorities without penalty. 

A Concord Police spokesperson said: "This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs."

Americans relinquished 371 tons of old prescription drugs in 5,829 cities across the county in April 2013, according to Concord Police. 

The event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, October 26.

Bring medications for disposal to: 

Concord Police Department's main headquarters, located at at 1350 Galindo Street

The service is free and anonymous. Syringes will not be accepted.