Saturday, Oct 26 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Listen: Harlan Loui, Section Chief of Food and Drug branch with the California Department of Public Health

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that consumers who have prescription drugs that are no longer needed or are expired can safely dispose of them on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Saturday, October 26.

Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern because they are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft or misuse. The proper disposal of unused drugs protects the environment and helps save lives.

Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website for locations throughout California, or by calling (800) 882-9539. Events throughout the state run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is no charge.

Consumers can anonymously drop off pills and other solids, such as patches and well-sealed liquids. The DEA has also authorized the collection of vape devices (minus batteries) and cartridges at the collection sites. However, there will be no collection of sharps waste, such as needles and syringes at these sites.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

During the National Prescription Drug Take-Back event in April, federal, state and local law enforcement partners across the country collected nearly 469 tons of unwanted prescription drugs.Californians disposed of more than 34 tons of unwanted drugs in that same event.