Public can receive assistance disposing of unused medications, prescriptions at Sacramento VA Medical Center on VA Take Back Day Oct. 29

VA police officers will be available at the medical center’s main lobby to provide U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-approved mail-back envelopes to individuals (not limited to Veterans) who may want to dispose of unwanted medications including controlled substance prescription medications, expired over-the-counter medications, etc. Members of the public will not be able to drop off unwanted medications at the medical center and must use the provided DEA-approved bags to mail unwanted medications to DEA for disposal.

VA is aligning with the DEA, welcoming Veterans and non-Veterans to its health facilities across the nation and helping in the safe and secure drug disposal on designated dates during the year. Any member of the public is welcome, whether or not they have any affiliation to Veterans or VA.

This action is the result of legislation signed into law by President Biden on July 29, 2021. The Dispose Unused Medications and Prescription (DUMP) Opioids Act requires VA to establish designated periods when Veterans and non-Veterans can dispose of opioids and other controlled substance medications at covered VA facilities. A covered facility is a VA medical facility with an onsite pharmacy and/or a physical location dedicated for law enforcement purposes.

Members of the public who can’t participate in VA Take Back Days can use DEA’s Public Disposal Locations Search Tool to find year-round collection sites. DEA holds twice yearly Take Back Days, on the last Saturday in April and October.

Veterans enrolled for VA care can bring their expired and unused medications to their VA sites of care for disposal any time by contacting their local VA Police Service or VA Pharmacy. For more information, contact VA Northern California Deputy Police Chief Amber Andrews at 916-502-4612.

Jason Dominguez, Chief of Public Affairs

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