Kensington and El Cerrito to Host Drug Take-Back Events

Abuse and theft of prescription drugs are persistent problems in the United States. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than seven million Americans abuse prescription drugs with the majority of them obtaining pills from family and friends.

In September 2010, the DEA held the first national drug take-back day as a way to encourage residents to rid their homes of unused and potentially dangerous prescription drugs. Close to 4,000 law enforcement departments across the country participated in the event collecting over 309 tons of pills.

The El Cerrito Police Department and the El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Departments are joining the effort and will provide two locations for a free and anonymous pharmaceutical drug drop-off events this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you'd like to participate the departments are asking residents to keep pills in their original containers and black out all personal information, including the doctor's name.

Please note that Schedule 1 controlled substances such as heroin, LSD and marijuana, will not be accepted at either drop off point. Please see this list of controlled substances put together by the El Cerrito Police Department to find out what will be accepted and to learn about the differences between Schedule 1 and Schedule 2-5 substances.

The drop-off is not just for pills. You can bring expired cough syrup, vitamins, inhalers and any other unused medication to the event.

Kensington Fire Station #65 is the only location accepting sharps such as used syringes, needles and lancets. You will need to keep them in special sharps containers as no loose sharps will be accepted.

The will take place in the El Cerrito Public Safety Building at 10900 San Pablo Avenue. The will take place at the Kensington Fire Station #65, located at 217 Arlington Avenue. Both locations will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. sharp.