Crime & Safety

Drop Off Old Prescription Drugs at the Walnut Creek Police Department Saturday

Prescription drug abuse is increasing in the United States, and a chief source of these drugs are medicine cabinets.

For the second time this year, the Walnut Creek Police Department on Saturday, April 30 will give the public a place to drop off old prescription medications as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration effort to get potentially dangerous drugs out of circulation.

With its Take-Back Initiative, the DEA is collecting drugs that have expired, are unused or unwanted in order to prevent the increase in the abuse and theft of prescription drugs.  

The service, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and anonymous, and no questions will be asked, police said. People can bring their old prescription drugs to the police department lobby, 1666 N. Main St., for assistance and to answer questions.

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"Prescription drug abuse is a serious public health and safety issue. This take-back event demonstrates DEA's and Walnut Creek PD's commitment to addressing the problem. It is also an opportunity for residents to help us strengthen communities and make their homes safe by participating." This is what Anthony D. Williams, DEA San Francisco Field Division Special Agent in Charge, said back in September when the DEA and Walnut Creek police did their first Take-Back program.

Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, according to the agency's press release. In addition, it says: 

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"Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards."

Collection sites will accept any medicines in capsule and tablet form. Injectables and needles will only be accepted if they are in closed containers.


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