DEA Drug Take-Back Day In Concord: Where To Drop Off Medications

CONCORD, CA — The Concord Police Department is participating in the upcoming U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

From 10 a.m until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, residents can bring their unused or expired prescription medications to the Concord Police Department, 1350 Galindo St., Concord.

What To Know

COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place.

Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box.

Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

About Take-Back Day

The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019, according to a news release.

The DEA’s Take-Back Day event provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

More than 4,445 law enforcement agencies across the nation participated in the 20th National Take-Back on April 24, and 839,543 pounds of drugs were turned in.

California had 48,688 pounds turned in — the second-highest amount among states.

Last April in Contra Costa County, 1,941.3 pounds of unused, expired prescriptions were turned in on Take-Back Day.

More Take-Back Day Drop-Off Sites

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is hosting drop-off sites at the following locations from 10 a.m . until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23:

• Office of the Sheriff Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez, CA. (Field Operations Building)
• Office of the Sheriff Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond, CA. (West County Detention Facility)
• Office of the Sheriff Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo, CA.
• Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA.
• Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA.

Sheriff's office sites are accepting only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container; no needles or sharps. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers
are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.

“This is a great way to get rid of unused prescription drugs in our homes,” said Contra Costa
Sheriff David Livingston. “These drugs could fall into the wrong hands and harm family
members and friends. This is an opportunity for everyone to help prevent drug addiction and
overdose deaths."