Attorney General Becerra Urges Consumers to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today urged Californians statewide to participate in the 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 27, 2018. The effort, led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, including opioids, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of prescription drug medications.

“The opioid crisis is threatening the lives of our loved ones and the well-being of our communities,” said Attorney General Becerra. “This public health emergency requires ongoing partnerships with our sister public health agencies, counties, law enforcement and local communities. Prescription Drug Take Back Day gives every citizen the opportunity to do their part and dispose of expired or unused medication so they don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

On Saturday, October 27, 2018, from 10 am-2 pm, California will have more than 318 collection sites to collect unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs. This service is free and anonymous for Californians. For more information and to find the closest collection site to you, please visit: takebackday.dea.gov.

Last April, over 69,000 pounds of prescription drugs were dropped off at Take Back Day collection sites in California alone. Across the nation, consumers returned nearly 1 million pounds. Today’s announcement is part of an ongoing effort by Attorney General Becerra to protect Californian communities and fight the opioid crisis. In September 2017, the Attorney General expanded his investigation of pharmaceutical manufacturers and the three largest distributors of opioids to determine if the companies engaged in unlawful practices in the marketing, sale, and distribution of opioids. That investigation is ongoing. The California Department of Justice also maintains California’s prescription drug monitoring program, CURES 2.0, which assists in efforts to curb prescription drug abuse.