National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: Sites Near Del Mar

DEL MAR-CARMEL VALLEY, CA — If you have half-empty bottles of expired or unused prescription drugs littering your medicine cabinet, mark your calendars for Saturday.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in San Diego County, giving Del Mar and Carmel Valley residents an opportunity to dispose of medications safely before they end up in the wrong hands.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration will host the 20th event in cooperation with law enforcement agencies. All tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs will be accepted, but liquids, needles, sharps and illegal drugs won't be accepted during the event. The service is free and anonymous.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in drug overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 87,200 Americans dying as a result of a drug overdose from Sept. 1, 2019 to Sept. 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the public health emergency, accelerating significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

"Please do your part in helping law enforcement and our outstanding medical professionals stem the outrageous amount of overdose deaths in San Diego and Imperial counties this year by disposing of your unwanted or expired opioids and other prescription drugs," said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. "As always, no questions asked, just drop them off and enjoy the rest of your Saturday in beautiful Southern California."

The last drug take-back event was held in October 2020. During the event, partners collected nearly 1 million pounds of unwanted drugs across the country and more than 10,000 pounds in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Nearly 13.7 million pounds of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications have been collected over the 10-year span of the program.

The Environmental Protection Agency offers guidance on items not accepted during take-back events, including the disposal of sharps and other medical waste. The Food and Drug Administration offers tips on getting rid of liquid medicines that are expired or no longer needed.

Given the ongoing pandemic, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency also have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs without leaving home.

Take Back Day Collection Sites In San Diego County

Central

• San Diego State University: 6095 Canyon Crest (on the corner of College Avenue), San Diego
• SDPD Eastern Division: 9225 Aero Drive, San Diego
• SDPD Northwestern Division: 12592 El Camino Real, San Diego
• SDPD Western Division: 5215 Gaines St., San Diego

Eastern

• El Cajon Police Department: 100 Civic Center Way, El Cajon
• La Mesa Police Department: 8085 University Ave., La Mesa

Northern

• Escondido Police Station: 1163 N. Centre City Pkwy., Escondido
• North County Regional Center: Courthouse 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista
• Poway Sheriff's Station: 13100 Bowron Road, Poway
• San Marcos Sheriff's Station: 182 Santar Place, San Marcos
• Tri-City Medical Center: 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside

Southern

• Chula Vista Public Works: 1800 Maxwell Drive, Chula Vista
• Coronado Police Station: 700 Orange Ave., Coronado
• Imperial Beach Sheriff's Station: 845 Imperial Beach Blvd., Imperial Beach
• National City Police Department: 1200 National City Blvd., National City

Military

(Military, Retirees, Beneficiaries and Staff Only)

• Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa): Baxter Circle Between Buildings 2 and 3
• Navy Exchange: 32nd St., in the NEX Lot at Callagan Highway gate
• MCAS Miramar Exchange: 2660 Elrod Ave., San Diego
• Naval Air Station North Island: Building No. 2017, San Diego