Get rid of your unwanted medications Saturday during the 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The annual event hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration aims to prevent unnecessary medications — especially highly addictive or dangerous ones — from falling into the wrong hands. This is also a safer way to dispose of medication, as flushing it down the toilet or dumping it can be toxic to the environment, experts say.
Residents can drop off their expired, unwanted or unused medications at sites across San Diego County. Locations include police and sheriff’s stations, as well as Navy and Marine facilities, the Mira Mesa Library, the Vista Courthouse and elsewhere. For the location nearest you, visit dea.gov/takebackday.
Medication can be dropped off for free, no questions asked, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Forms of prescription drugs that will be accepted include tablets, capsules, liquids and patches. Vaping devices and cartridges will also be accepted, provided lithium batteries are removed.
Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps or illicit drugs.
Local law enforcement also collects unwanted medication year-round in on-site drop boxes.
