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​​CDPH Encourages Californians to Participate in PrescriptionDrug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 22

Date: April 20, 2023
Number: NR23-020
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov

Hundreds of No-Cost Prescription Drug Take-Back Events Planned Across the State

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) invites all Californians to participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 22. Individuals with unneeded or expired prescription drugs, as well as vaping devices, can safely dispose of these items at hundreds of prescription drug take-back locations across the state.

Statewide Prescription Drug Take-Back event locations and times can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website. These are free events and take-back services are provided at no cost for all Californians.

“Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern because they are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft, or misuse," said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides an easy way for Californians and individuals across the country to properly dispose of unused prescription drugs and vaping devices, an effort that helps protect the environment and helps save lives."

While Prescription Drug Take-Back events are taking place in communities across California, CDPH's Food and Drug Branch is also working directly with the Drug Enforcement Administration at the following location in Sacramento County: 

Sacramento County Prescription Drug-Take Back Event

Saturday, April 22, 2023
Barbara Morse Wackford Community and Aquatic Complex

9014 Bruceville Road

Elk Grove, CA 95758

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Individuals can drop off pills and other solids, such as patches and well-sealed liquids, with no questions asked. New this year, National Prescription Drug Take-Back sites will also collect vaping devices (minus batteries) and cartridges. However, there will be no collection of sharps waste, such as needles and syringes, at these sites.

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 3.7 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 4.8 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2021. The survey also showed that most misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

During the National Prescription Drug Take-Back event in October 2022, Californians disposed of nearly 20 tons of unwanted prescription drugs during the statewide take-back effort. Across the country, National Prescription Drug Take-Back sites and partners collected more than 320 tons of unwanted prescription drugs.​​