Contra Costa Deputies Collect 547 Pounds Of Meds At Take-Back Event

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — At a drug take-back event held last weekend as part of a DEA nationwide effort, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office collected 587 pounds of unused and expired medications, officials said.

"Thank you to everyone who participated in the take-back day on Saturday," deputies said.

The collection drive was part of a nationwide DEA campaign to prevent unused medications from finding their way into the wrong hands, according to authorities.

“The Take Back Event addresses not only a public health issue, but also public safety,” Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston said.

Free and anonymous drop-off sites for pills, patches, liquids, vape pens and other e-cigarette devices were set up in Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda and Richmond, officials said.

With assistance from law enforcement agencies, the DEA launched its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day more than 20 years ago in an effort to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

In 2021, the DEA said nearly 745,000 pounds of unneeded prescriptions were collected nationwide.

Contra Costa County deputies reminded locals that many hospitals and pharmacies collect medications year-round. A link with more information can be found here.

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