Many drop off locations for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - Today is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the U.S. and prescription drugs can be dropped off at many places in the San Francisco Bay Area, environmental officials in San Francisco said.
Drugs can be dropped off until 2 p.m. at locations such as some police stations, including all San Francisco police stations.
No paperwork needs to be filled out and no questions will be asked, according to San Francisco Department of Environment officials.
Dropping off prescriptions is also free. T
o find a location nearby go to https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html where residents can search for a location by zip code or by city and state.
Unused medicine is a threat to people and the environment, city officials said.
Since 2003, more drug overdoses have occurred each year from medicine than from cocaine and heroin combined.
Accidental poisonings are also a threat especially to children, seniors and pets.
Residents wanting to dispose of medication should put pills in a Ziploc type bag or as few containers as possible and put the bag or containers in the available kiosk.
City officials suggest removing any personal information from the containers and recycling pill bottles with other recyclables.
Liquid medicine can also be put in a Ziploc bag after the bottle's lid is tight.
Drop-off locations do not accept empty or used syringes or needles, thermometers, personal care items such as toothpaste and shampoo and aerosol cans.