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Crime & Safety

Program Makes Disposing of Prescription Drugs Easy

As part of its drug take-back program the Santa Cruz Police Department maintains a collection bin where citizens can drop off unwanted medications.

If you have expired prescription medications around your home that you’re not sure how to dispose of, the Santa Cruz Police Department can help. 

The department has a self-service collection bin in their public lobby where citizens can safely and anonymously drop off expired or old prescription or over-the-counter medications. Drop-offs can be made from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at 155 Center St., Santa Cruz. 

The collection bin is part of the department’s ongoing drug take-back program which is designed to make it easier for people to dispose of unwanted medicines in a responsible manner. 

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Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning and flushed or trashed medicines can end up polluting public waterways and landfills. 

According to the Santa Cruz Police Department, rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high, especially among teenagers. More than half of the teenagers who abuse medicines get them from a family member or a friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without their knowledge. 

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Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the police department’s collection bin. The bin is colored blue and is located in the corner of the police department lobby, just to the left of the reception counter.

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