Safe Drug Drop Off Program

02/06/2017

Do not flush unused, unwanted, and expired medications down the toilet or put them in drains!

How should I dispose of my medications?

For your convenience, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department offers a Safe Drug Drop Off program where both controlled and non-controlled substances are accepted. Take medications/drugs to the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station for safe and anonymous disposal. The mailboxes on the front steps of the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station are designated for anonymous drop-off of all types of drugs.

You can also return your medications to a pharmacy near you. Some pharmacies offer take-back and/or mail-back programs.

What kind of medications/drugs can be dropped off?

Prescription medications

Illegal drugs

Over-the-counter medications

Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.

Cold/flu remedies

Birth control pills

Hormone replacement drugs

Veterinary medicines

Codeine, phenobarbital, and anabolic steroids, narcotics, tranquilizers, etc

Why is this important?

Medications flushed down the toilet or in drains pass through the sewer system and eventually enter our streams, lakes, and rivers. Medicines and synthetic hormones have been detected in trace amounts in bodies of water. This could lead to increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics and interference with growth and reproduction in aquatic organisms such as fish, frogs and all marine life.

The presence of medications in the environment is a complex issue and the risk to humans and the environment is still being determined. With tens of thousands of medicinal products on the market and more being developed each year, the long-term risks have not been determined on the effects on the environment. However, in order to minimize the potential negative and irreversible impacts, it is important that we limit the disposal of waste medications to the sewer.

(Some excerpts taken from Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division)

Contact Information: Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Station - 909-595-2264,