The “Safe Drug Drop-Off” program of prescription drugs, sharps and narcotics has been temporarily suspended, with the three drop-boxes removed from the front of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The bins were removed Sunday after a Cal OSHA notice identified the bins as a health risk for Sheriff’s Station officials, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. A complaint apparently had been made some time ago.

The move puts the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day plans on hold for the bins, according to station officials.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) listed Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station as a collection site on their event,” a Sheriff’s Station Nixle noted. “However, we will be unable to participate as our ‘Safe Drop-Off’ boxes were removed on Sunday, October 22.”

Three boxes had stood in front of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station as a part of the “Safe Drug Drop-Off” program: one for prescription drugs, one for illegal drugs and a third bin for “sharps”, according to Sheriff’s Station officials. Now those spots are empty.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s station began the “Safe Drug Drop-Off” program back in 2010 in order to give Santa Clarita residents a safe and anonymous drop-off location.

Related: Safe Drug Drop Off Established At SCV Sheriff’s Station

The common practice of storing unused or expired medications at home can lead to improper or illegal use, sales or distribution if they fall into the wrong hands, officials said seven years ago.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is always looking for innovative new ways to enhance public safety and improve our quality of life,” said Captain Anthony La Berge of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in a 2010 KHTS article. “This program provides a safe way to dispose of unused or unwanted medications and keep them out of our community.”

Not only were the “Safe Drug Drop-Off” boxes in front of the station removed, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s drug take-back program ran through the Narcotics Bureau was also temporarily suspended.

“We’re going to be looking into how we can start up a program here to continue doing the drug dropoffs,” said Shirley Miller, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station public information officer. “But it will take a couple months to get the program running.”

Related: Santa Clarita Drug Education Program Drops High School Testing; Hart District Increases Drug Test Funding

In the time being, officials have stated that unwanted prescription drugs can be dropped off at two locations in our community:

Unused or expired prescription drugs drop-off receptacle (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital (lobby)
23845 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355

Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Saturday, November 11, 2017 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Includes unused, unwanted medicine and sharps.

College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Event sponsored by the LA County Sanitation District and the Department of Public Works.

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