Community Corner

Get Rid of Unused or Expired Drugs on Saturday

A National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides a safe way to dispose of medications.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is sponsoring a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday to help rid homes of unused or expired drugs, a process that's as simple as dropping off bottles in a marked bin at one of four Santa Clara County locations, listed below.

Some prescription drugs can be fatal if swallowed by the wrong person, and sensitive Bay Area drugs should never be washed down a sink or flushed in the toilet as it can spell trouble for marine life. All of that makes it tricky to get rid of unused or expired drugs.

People are encouraged to bring unwanted medications to the substation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. It’s a free service with no questions asked.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the previous two Take-Back Days more than 309 tons of pills were turned in at more than 5,300 sites manned by more than 3,800 federal, state and local law enforcement partners.

Prescription drug abuse is two-and-a-half times higher than the number of those who abuse cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants combined, according to the recently released 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Most prescription drug abuse stems from medications found in friends or family home medicine cabinets, the same study found.

The four Santa Clara County Take-Back locations are located at:

  • Santa Clara County Sheriff’s substation at 1601 S. De Anza Boulevard in Cupertino.
  • San Jose Police, 201 W. Mission St., San Jose.
  • City of Mountain View Police/Fire Administration at 1000 Villa St., Mountain View.
  • Santa Clara Police Department 601 El Camino Real, Santa Clara.


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