Where To Dispose Of Expired, Unused Drugs Near Walnut Creek

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Do you have unused or expired prescription medications taking up space in your cabinets? Here's where you can safely dispose of them this weekend.

As part of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is teaming up with local facilities and agencies to host safe drop-off sites for unwanted medications throughout Contra Costa County, California and the nation.

It’s important to clear old medications out of your home, as they are the leading cause of accidental poisoning in households. Unused or expired medications thrown in the garbage or flushed down the toilet can also pollute the environment.

The service is free, and no questions are asked. 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.

Drug Take-back Day is a biannual event that occurs every April and October. During the 26th take-back day earlier this year, 4,607 law enforcement agencies participated nationwide and collected 670,136 pounds of medications, according to the DEA. In California alone, 203 law enforcement agencies took part and collected a total of 32,637 pounds of medications.

This Saturday, medications will be collected from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations in Contra Costa County:

• Concord Police Department, 1350 Galindo St., Concord
• Contra Costa Sheriff's Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza, Suite C, Alamo
• Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda
• Contra Costa Sheriff's Blackhawk Station, 1092 Eagle Nest Place, Danville
• Danville Police Department, 500 La Gonda Way, Danville
• Contra Costa Sheriff's Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez
• Contra Costa Sheriff's Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond
• Contra Costa Sheriff's Delta Station, 14830 Highway 4, Discovery Bay

Don't see a collection site close to you? Search for one here by entering your ZIP code.