The drug overdose epidemic in the United States poses a clear and present threat to public health, public safety and national security. The DEA initiated the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to demonstrate its commitment to the safety and health of Americans, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a preventive measure against medication misuse and the onset of opioid addiction. Too often, unused prescription drugs end up in the wrong hands.
The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health partners with community agencies to prioritize this day to keep the community safe from drug misuse. The Fentanyl Awareness Initiative by San Bernardino County works to educate the public about the dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and misused pharmaceutical fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The majority of opioid addictions begin with prescription pills found in home medicine cabinets. Pharmaceutical drugs can be as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. Most individuals who misuse prescription medication acquire it from a family member or friend. The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events are one way to safely dispose of unneeded medications.
In addition to Take Back Day, there are ongoing opportunities to safely dispose of unneeded medications at pharmacies, hospitals, police departments and businesses that aim to clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year.
In October 2024, the DEA reported that 629,953 lbs. of drugs were safely disposed of during the 27th National Take Back Day.
You can participate in the nationwide movement on Saturday, April 26, at the following locations, or year-round at the permanent drop-off sites.
Central Valley region
- California State University, San Bernardino
University Pkwy., San Bernardino Lot D
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
West End region
- Sam’s Club
951 N. Milliken Ave., Ontario
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
East End region
- Yucaipa Community Park
34900 Oak Glen Rd., Yucaipa
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Gonzales Community Center
111 W. Lugonia Ave., Redlands
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Year-round drop off locations: East End region
- Rite Aid
11352 Bryant St., Yucaipa, - Vons
33644 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa
522 North Orange St., Redlands - CVS
27310 Baseline, Highland - Albertsons (medications must be in resealable bag)
450 E. Cypress Ave., Redlands
7201 Boulder Ave., Highland
Year-round drop off locations: Lower Desert region
Yucca Valley
- Vons Pharmacy
57590 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley
Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekends, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Rite Aid Pharmacy
57701 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley
Open daily, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. - New Pharmacy
57725 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley
Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 5:20 p.m.
Sat., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Joshua Tree
- Star Pharmacy
6448 Halle Rd., #2, Joshua Tree
Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Sundays - Joshua Tree Court House
6527 White Feather Rd., Joshua Tree
Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Drop box east entrance – lobby below the sheriff station
29 Palms
- New Pharmacy
72724 29 Palms Hwy., #104, Twentynine Palms
Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Rite Aid Pharmacy
72253 29 Palms Hwy., Twentynine Palms
Open daily, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Year-round drop off locations: Mountain region
- Big Bear Sheriff Station
477 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake
24/7 availability - Twin Peaks Sheriff Station
26010 Highway 189, Twin Peaks
Sun. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Year-round drop off locations: High Desert region
- Apple Valley Police Department — 14931 Dale Evans Pkwy., Apple Valley
- Adelanto Sheriff’s Department — 11613 Bartlett Ave., Adelanto
- Rite Aid #5705 — 14629 7th St., Victorville
Has a drop-off location for non-controlled substances (NO herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, illicit drugs, or animal medication).
- Walgreens — 17051 Bear Valley Rd., Hesperia
Accepts controlled and non-controlled medicines (Schedule II-V). - CVS Pharmacy #9644 — 16975 Bear Valley Rd., Hesperia
Has a drop-off location for non-controlled substances (NO herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, illicit drugs or animal medication). - Rite Aid #5700 — 4120 Phelan Rd., Phelan
Has a drop-off location for non-controlled substances (NO herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, illicit drugs or animal medication).
For more information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, please visit: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.
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