Stockton, CA (October 19, 2026) – On Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., San Joaquin County Public Health Services and the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration to host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the county. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

For sixteen years, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans safely dispose of unneeded medications — drugs that are old, unwanted, or expired.

Take Back Day offers FREE and ANONYMOUS disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,200 drop-off locations nationwide. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Data shows that most abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, particularly home medicine cabinets, so clearing out unused medicine is essential. Prescription medications often end up in the wrong hands, fueling an epidemic that kills more Americans than car accidents, according to the DEA.

Residents can stop by five drop-off sites throughout the county:

• Lodi Police Department, 215 W Elm Street, Lodi, CA, 95240
• Youngs Payless Market, 18980 CA-88, Lockeford, CA, 95237
• Tracy Police Department, 1000 Civic Center Drive, Tracy, CA, 95376
• Code 3 Wear, 304 Lincoln Center, Stockton, CA, 95207
• Stockton Unified School Police Department, 640 N San Joaquin Street, Stockton, CA, 95202

In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 20.4 million pounds (10,200 tons) of medication from circulation since its inception.

Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

Additional information about local overdose prevention resources, like where to get Narcan, help for addiction, and medication and sharps disposal, can be found by visiting the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition website at www.SJCOpioidSafety.org.

###