Press Release: Drug Take Back Bins
DATE/TIME: 08/26/24 at 3:00 PM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Announces Participation in the Consumer Drug Take-Back Program and Placement of Bins for Safe Disposal of Unused or Expired Medications
LOCATION: 1414 Natividad Rd, Salinas; 1200 Aguajito Rd, Monterey; 250 Franciscan Way, King City
MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto has announced its participation in the Inmar Intelligence Consumer Drug Take-Back Program. This includes the placement of three drop off containers that can be used by the community to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. The public can now take advantage of this free service at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Main Salinas location or either of its substations located in King City or Monterey.
Inmar Intelligence’s consumer drug take-back program works to expand public access to medicine disposal, remove unused or expired medications from the home safely, and prevent the flushing or trashing of unwanted medication, which helps to protect public health and the environment.
The Consumer Drug Take-Back Program is important to have in our community because unused or expired prescription medications can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse. Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed down the toilet or a sink can contaminate the water supply. This service is 100% free of charge. No information needs to be provided to anyone when placing items in any of the three drop off bins. The bins are located in the lobby of each of our Monterey County Sheriff Office locations in Salinas, King City and Monterey. The drop off bins are bright green in color and clearly marked “SAFE DRUG DISPOSAL.” Accepted items include medications in any dosage form including pills, creams, liquids and inhalers. Items that are not accepted include herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics or other personal care products, empty medical device batteries, sharps, thermometers or illicit drugs. Persons disposing of medications should make every attempt to remove personal identifying information on medical labels before disposing.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “I am happy to provide the residents of Monterey County with three Consumer Drug Take Back drop off locations in our main Salinas Office as well as our Coastal and King City Offices. This will help to make our communities safer by helping to prevent unused or expired medications from getting into the wrong hands or into our water systems.”
Monterey County Sheriff’s Offices are located at 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906; 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA, 93940 and 250 Franciscan Way, King City, CA, 93930.