On Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will host a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection site. In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal.  The collection site will be at the Sheriff's Office, located at 215 Rice Street in Grand Junction. This service is free and anonymous.

Studies show that a significant majority of abused prescription medications are obtained from family and friends, often taken from the home medicine cabinet. Disposing of expired or unused medications helps prevent abuse and overdose, which can be a significant safety concern, particularly for children and elderly patients.   Many people dispose of these medications by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, both of which pose safety and health hazards.

For more than a decade, take-back events have helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction. 

Since its inception, take Back Day has removed 9,285 tons of medication from circulation.  Local law enforcement agencies, like the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, along with our DEA partners, will host Drug Take Backs at thousands of locations nationwide on October 26^th. For more information on what types of medications can be accepted or to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.