Got Drugs? Drop Them Safely Saturday At These San Mateo County Locations

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA - Got drugs? Law enforcement agencies throughout the county will be collecting your unused or out-of-date medications on Saturday, April 30 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., no questions asked.

It's all part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The DEA says it has destroyed 5.5 million pounds - 2,762 tons - of unused prescription drugs in the past five years at collection sites throughout the country.

“Most prescription drug abusers get their pills from friends and family, including from the household medicine cabinet,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg in a statement. “Please remove unwanted prescription drugs from your homes and help prevent substance abuse fueled by our medicine cabinets.”

“We encourage every citizen to inspect his or her home to identify expired, unwanted and unused medications – both prescription and over the counter,” states District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley. “The safe disposal of these drugs serves a vital public safety and public health need. This is a critical step in reducing the alarmingly high rates of prescription drug abuse and addiction in our community.”

Only pills and other solids, like patches, will be accepted, according to the DEA. The public should not bring liquids, needles or other sharps to take back sites.

Here's a list of the locations in San Mateo County that will be open Saturday between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.:

• Menlo Park

U.S. DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE SERVICE, 795 WILLOW ROAD, BLDG 348, MENLO PARK CA, 94025 Map

• San Bruno

SAN BRUNO POLICE DEPARTMENT, 1177 HUNTINGTON AVENUE, SAN BRUNO CA, 94066 Map

• San Mateo

SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT, 200 FRANKLIN PKWY, SAN MATEO CA, 94403 Map

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