Residents will have the opportunity to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take-back Day on Saturday, October 23 to the Chula Vista Public Works Center, located at 1800 Maxwell Road, from 10 am to 2 pm.
This event is free and there will be no questions asked. Needles, sharps and other types of household hazardous waste will not be accepted at this event.
The City of Chula Vista Environmental Services Division, the Chula Vista Police Department and the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration will use this initiative to address the public safety issue of prescription diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Improper disposal of medication in the trash or toilet also pose an environmental hazard to people and animals.
In April 2021, Americans turned in nearly 839,543 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. The DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, has now collected nearly 7,262 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications since the inception of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative in 2010.
In addition to the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are many other ways to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long. For more information, visit the DEA’s year-round collection site locator at deadiversion.usdoj.govFor more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, or the October 23 Take Back Day event, go to takebackday.dea.gov.
Residents must wear a face mask while dropping off their expired or unused prescription medication and remain in their vehicle. Please call (619) 691-5122 if you have questions.
