Where To Dispose Of Expired, Unused Drugs In Napa County

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Expired, unused medications are the leading cause of accidental poisoning in households and can pollute the environment if thrown in the garbage or flushed down the toilet.

Those who want to stay safe by disposing of unused, expired medications can do so this weekend, as Saturday, Oct. 26, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

During the biannual event held every April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration teams up with local facilities and agencies across California and the nation to host safe drop-off sites for unwanted medications.

The service is free, with no questions asked. All locations in Napa County are accepting all household-generated medications, including tablets, capsules, inhalers, and liquids. Controlled substances are also accepted. Used syringes — sharps — are accepted, too, but must be in a puncture-resistant container.

In Napa County, there are six collection sites open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday:

• Napa County Sheriff's Office, 1535 Airport Blvd., Napa
• St. Helena Police Department/City Hall, 1088 College Ave., St. Helena
• Calistoga Police Department,1235 Washington St., Calistoga
• Town of Yountville/Napa County Sheriff's Office, 1950 Mulberry St., Yountville
• American Canyon Police Department, 911 Donaldson Way E., American Canyon
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices (East Parking Lot), 3285 Claremont Way, Napa

According to the DEA, the 26th take-back day earlier this year saw 4,607 law enforcement agencies participate nationwide and collect 670,136 pounds of medications. In California alone, 203 law enforcement agencies took part and collected 32,637 pounds of medications.

"Properly disposing of unneeded medications is essential, as it can prevent drug poisonings and minimize the risk for misuse," said St. Helena police Chief Chris Hartley. "DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a free and easy way to come together as a community to turn the tide on the drug poisoning epidemic."

Beyond participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, St. Helena Rotary and Jodie's Design donated the funds needed to purchase a secure container that is installed at the front entrance of St. Helena City Hall and the Police Department. Since 2016, the St. Helena Police Department’s drop box has collected and safely disposed of more than 870 pounds of prescription drugs, including dangerous narcotics.

“We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring all unused, expired, and unneeded medications to a collection site for safe disposal,” said St. Helena police Sgt. Fil Bianco. “This small act can save a life by preventing drug overdoses and poisonings, plus opioid abuse and the path to addiction often begins with the home medicine cabinet.”

Don't see a Take Back Day collection site near you? Search here by entering your ZIP code.