Got Expired Pills? Drug Take-Back Day Is Saturday In Contra Costa

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration —DEA — are giving the public an opportunity Saturday to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired or unused prescription drugs.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, residents can bring their pills for disposal to any of seven drop-off sites across the county.

“The Take Back event is a great opportunity to dispose of unwanted medication in our homes,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “These drugs could fall into the wrong hands or harm family members. Take Back helps 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 are asked, according to the sheriff's office.

Here are the drop-off sites for Saturday's Take-Back Day:

• Lafayette Police Department 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
• Orinda Police Department 22 Orinda Way, Orinda
• Muir Station 1980 Muir Road, Martinez
• Bay Station 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond
• Valley Station 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo
• Delta Station/Discovery Bay Annex, 1555 Riverlake Road, Discovery Bay
• Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville

The Contra Costa drop-off sites listed above are among more than 4,000 across the country taking part in the DEA's 24th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a majority of people who use a prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend.

“Every day, the men and women of the DEA work to protect Americans from deadly drugs and drug poisonings,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is one of the ways we can help prevent addiction and deaths from opioids.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, 107,735 American lives were lost to drug poisoning between August 2021 and August 2022.

Beyond DEA’s Take Back Day, there are opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at close to 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses working to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.