Drug Take-Back Day Is Saturday In Milpitas

MILPITAS, CA – The Milpitas Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration this weekend will give residents their 14th opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your medications for disposal on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the Milpitas PD at 1275 North Milpitas Blvd. The agency cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, but will take pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

On April 29, 2017, Milpitas residents turned in more than 300 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs, according to officials.

Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 8.1 million pounds— about 4,050 tons — of prescription drugs. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, the agency said.

Such methods for disposing of unused medicines as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash both pose potential safety and health hazards, police said.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website: http: //www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/

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