Got expired or unwanted prescription medications sitting in your medicine cabinet? This Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., San Joaquin County residents are invited to safely and anonymously dispose of them during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day — a nationwide initiative that helps prevent drug misuse and keeps our community safe.
The event is coordinated locally by San Joaquin County Public Health Services and the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition, in partnership with local law enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Six Convenient Drop-Off Locations
Residents can stop by any of the following free drop-off sites — no questions asked:
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Lodi Police Department – 215 W. Elm St., Lodi
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Young’s Payless Market – 18980 CA-88, Lockeford
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Tracy Police Department – 1000 Civic Center Dr., Tracy
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Code 3 Wear – 304 Lincoln Center, Stockton
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Stockton Unified School Police Department – 640 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton
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San Joaquin General Hospital – 500 W. Hospital Rd., French Camp
This service is free, anonymous, and environmentally friendly. Needles or sharps materials are not accepted, but information will be provided on where to safely dispose of them.
What You Can Bring
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Pills can be loose, in blister packs, or in their original prescription bottles.
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Liquid medications (like cough syrup) must stay sealed in their original containers.
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Vaping devices and cartridges are accepted, but remove lithium batteries first.
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Pet medications are also welcome.
Why It Matters
According to the DEA, prescription drug abuse remains a serious public health concern in the U.S., with many cases of misuse starting right at home. Clearing out unused medicine reduces the risk of accidental poisonings, overdoses, and the drugs ending up in the wrong hands.
Since its launch in 2010, the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back program has hosted 29 events nationwide, collecting millions of pounds of unused medications. During the most recent event this past spring, more than 620,000 pounds of medications were safely collected across the country.
More Ways to Dispose Year-Round
Can’t make it on Saturday? There are more than 11,000 authorized year-round collectors across the nation. Visit:
For more on local overdose prevention, access to Narcan, and safe disposal resources, visit the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition at www.SJCOpioidSafety.org.