On Saturday, October 26, 2019, 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 the opportunity 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. Please place all pills or patches into clear, plastic, zip-top bags. We will have some packaging available on sight, but supplies will be limited. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. During this nation-wide prescription pill take-back day, we will provide the following drop-off location:

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

For the first time, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.

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 are not recommended. Both of those options pose potential health and safety hazards.