Is your medicine cabinet full of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs?  What's safe for you might be harmful for someone else. Protect your family against the misuse of medications.  

Simply bring your unwanted, unused or expired medication to a Sheriff's Department facility disposal kiosk and drop it in—just like putting a letter in a mailbox.  These collection boxes are accessible Monday through Friday during business hours. 

It's free, convenient and anonymous. 

The Problem

In 2020, there were 275 unintentional prescription drug-related deaths in San Diego County.  

One in four teens has misused or abused prescription drugs. Most get them from the family medicine cabinet.

You play a crucial role in preventing and decreasing the harms associated with the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. 

The Solution

As a committed member of the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (PDATF), the San Diego County Sheriff's Department has participated in prescription drug “take-back” days in which the public could turn in unwanted medication at specified sites.  Since the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collections began in 2010, San Diegans have safely disposed of more than 100,000 pounds of prescription drugs. 

Year-round disposal options are also available at the following locations Monday through Friday during business hours.  

• Sheriff’s Headquarters
• County Admin. Center
• 4S Ranch Substation
• Alpine Substation
• Borrego Springs Office
• Campo Substation
• Fallbrook Substation
• George Bailey Detention Facility
• Imperial Beach Substation
• Julian Substation
• Lakeside Substation
• Las Colinas Detention Facility
• Lemon Grove Substation
• North Coastal Station
• Pine Valley Substation
• Poway Station
• Ramona Substation
• Ranchita Substation
• Rancho San Diego Station
• San Diego Central Jail
• San Marcos Station
• Santee Station
• South Bay Detention Facility
• Valley Center Substation
• Vista Detention Facility
• Vista Station

Medications in standard containers may be deposited in those containers. Loose medication can be put into plastic bags available at the collection box and then deposited. Please ensure any liquid medication is enclosed in secure containers before depositing.

Sharps Waste

State law prohibits the disposal of sharps, including needles, syringes and lancets in regular trash.  Sharps or needles are only accepted at the Imperial Beach Substation, Fallbrook Substation, Lakeside Substation, North Coastal Station and Rancho San Diego Station.  You can also search for a needle drop off location closest to your home by visiting www.wastefreesd.org.   

Once collected, evidence staff will ensure the medication and sharps are disposed of according to state and federal laws.

Portable Drug Drop Box

If your community or organization is partnering with the Sheriff’s Department for a community event, you may request we bring a portable drop box to the event for the secure collection of unwanted prescription drugs. The box weighs about 40 pounds and can be set up on a table at your event. Contact your nearest Sheriff's Station or Substation for more information.