The Amador County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, will participate in the Nationwide Take-Back Initiative on April 26, 2014 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Amador County residents participating in the previous National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 26, 2013 turned in more than 182 pounds of pills at the Amador County Sheriff’s Office.

In an effort to prevent increased pill abuse and theft, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The same study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the importance of community involvement and urges the citizens of Amador County to take a stand against illegal prescription drug abuse by using this opportunity to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The collection station will be located in the Amador County Sheriff’s Office parking lot located at 700 Court Street, Jackson CA 95642.