Safe Storage & Disposal
SAFE DISPOSAL SAVES LIVES
October is Prescription Drug Take Back Month in Marin!
Gather your unused, expired, unwanted prescriptions and visit one of the 24 year-round drop-off locations throughout Marin, including CVS pharmacies, Kaiser locations, police departments and more. Safe disposal provides an opportunity for residents to help prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths in their community.
About one-quarter of Marin residents need help for substance abuse, alcohol abuse or mental health problems. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study showed that a majority of abused opioids were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Medicines that languish and left in unlocked locations are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
Organized drug take-back efforts and the safe disposal of medications have been fruitful. In 2019, 14,673 pounds of unneeded drugs were collected in Marin, up from 11,128 in 2018 and 8,300 in 2017. Every year since 2015, Marin has seen more drugs being returned and properly discarded. Statewide, 56,410 pounds were dropped off at 336 collection sites in 2019. Since September 2010, almost 13 million pounds of drugs have been disposed of nationally through the take-back programs.
Drug take-back locations are open during the facility’s year-round regular hours of operation. The service is provided free and anonymously. Medications are accepted in any dosage form in their original container or a sealed bag. Note that drop-off locations cannot accept herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics, other personal care products, medical devices, batteries, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, and illicit drugs.
Download Safe Disposal Saves Lives Brochure
Find a location – Safely Dispose of Unused & Expired Medications
Community take-back locations allow residents to bring expired or unwanted medicines to a convenient, centralized location for proper disposal. Residents may also go to selected locations to request a mail-back package for expired or unwanted medicines.
Year-Round Take Back Sites
Belvedere
Belvedere Police Department
450 San Rafael Avenue
Kentfield
College of Marin Police Department
700 College Avenue
Larkspur
CVS Pharmacy
330 Bon Air Center
Central Marin Police Authority
– Larkspur Station
250 Doherty Drive
Mill Valley
CVS Pharmacy
759 East Blithedale Avenue
Mill Valley Police Department
1 Hamilton Drive
Novato
Novato Police Department
909 Machin Avenue
CVS Pharmacy
2035 Novato Blvd
CVS Pharmacy
1707 Grant Avenue
Kaiser Permanente
97 San Marin Drive
Ross
Ross Police Department
33 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
San Anselmo
CVS Pharmacy
880 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Central Marin Police Authority – San Anselmo Station
525 San Anselmo Avenue
San Rafael
CVS Pharmacy
909 Grand Avenue
CVS Pharmacy
442 Las Gallinas Avenue
Kaiser Downtown Offices
1033 Third Street
Kaiser Medical Center
99 Montecillo Road
San Rafael Police Department
1400 Fifth Avenue
County of Marin Probation Department
3501 Civic Center Drive
Room 265
Marin County Sheriff’s Office
1600 Los Gamos Drive
Suite 200
Marin Medical Pharmacy
750 Las Gallinas Avenue
Suite 104
Sausalito
CVS Pharmacy
150 Donahue Street
Tiburon
Tiburon Police Department
1155 Tiburon Boulevard
CVS Pharmacy
1599 Tiburon Boulevard
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
A Prescription for Change
A Prescription for Change is an eight-page informational guide on the abuses of prescription drugs and the illegal disposal of needles in the trash.
Receta Para el Cambio (Español)