National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

Saturday is the 9th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event.

Prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding your home of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

A number of locations throughout the central coast will be collecting pills and patches for disposal on Sept. 27. Liquids, needles and sharps cannot be accepted, and the service is free and anonymous.

Collection sites will be operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monterey Peninsula: Bank of America Parking lot, Highway 1 and Rio Road, Carmel
North County; Prunedale Starbucks, 17543 Vierra Canyon Road, Prunedale
South County: Pine Canyon Fire Station, 51251 Pine Canyon Road, King City
Gonzales: lobby of the Gonzales Police Department, 109 Fourth St.
Seaside: Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave. or the Seaside Police Department
Gilroy: Gilroy Police Department Lobby, 7301 Hanna St.
Capitola: Capitola Police Department, 422 Capitola Ave.
Scotts Valley: Police Department lobby, 1 Civic Center Drive
Watsonville: Watsonville Police Department, 215 Union St.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than 780,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected at sites around the country during the last Prescription Take Back event held this past spring.