On Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“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.”
Needles and sharps cannot be accepted; only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container will be accepted. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Bring your pills for disposal at the following sites.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
- Office of the Sheriff Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez
- Office of the Sheriff Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond
- Office of the Sheriff Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo
- Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville
- Lafayette Police Department, 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
- Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription pain relievers in the past year. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
7 comments
My father died after a very painful bout with cancer. Prior to entering Hospice, he was prescribed a lot of pain medications. After he died we gathered all of those pills up and the wife to them to Concord PD. On the way in to dispose of them an addict/criminal tried to get them from her. She threatened to scream if he didn’t back off immediately (which he did). And what did the police do? You guessed it…nothing. I have to wonder how many of these drugs that get turned in end up on the streets.
Where are the locations in the East County and other areas to make this convenient for people? And they must be in the original containers also!
CPD has a drop off 8am-5pm and they should be in a plastic bag. Much more convenient and thought out…
Where can you dispose needles without having to buy a special container first?
Why when they have these drug take back days are there never any locations in Concord?
There are drop off locations throughout Central San’s service area.
Pharmaceutical Disposal Locations:
Town of Alamo, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Substation, 150 Alamo Plaza, Suite C, Alamo
City of Clayton, Police Department/City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton
City of Concord, Police Department, 1350 Galindo Street, Concord
Contra Costa Sheriff’s Field Operations Building, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez
County Regional Medical Center, 2500 Alhambra Ave., Martinez
Town of Danville, Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville
City of Lafayette, Police Department, 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 130, Lafayette
City of Martinez, Police Department/City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez
Town of Moraga, Police Department, 329 Rheem Blvd., Moraga
City of Orinda, Police Department/City Hall, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda
City of Pleasant Hill, Police Department, 330 Civic Dr., Pleasant Hill
City of Walnut Creek, Police Department/City Hall, 1666 North Main St., Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek Walgreens*, 2900 North Main St., Walnut Creek
Additional drop-off sites are available through M
It’s not anonymous if you leave fingerprints on the container and are photographed by hidden cameras for facial recognition based on your DMV photo.
There’s an old saying: Never invite the man into your life.
The FDA says flush opioids and put the rest in the trash (Put the meds in a ziploc mixed with coffee grounds or something else nasty, seal it and toss in the trash.)
No worries about the water supply. The majority of drugs detected in the water supply come from human waste. The human body does not absorb all of the medications and a good amount of it comes out in urine and feces. So, don’t worry about the water.
I have a drive-up “drop off” box in front of my house, I’ll be glad to get rid of your unused drugs….I promise.
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