On Saturday, April 30, 2016, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the Sacramento Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 11th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.  During this nation-wide prescription pill take-back day, we will be providing the following drop-off locations:

·         William J. Kinney Police Facility: 3550 Marysville Boulevard, Sacramento Ca. 95838                                                       

·         Public Safety Center: 5770 Freeport Boulevard, Suite 100 Sacramento, Ca. 95822

Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 10 previous Take-Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds, more than 2,750 tons, of pills. 

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.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash.  Both of those options pose potential health and safety hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the ‘Take Back Day’ event, go to the DEA Diversion website: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/