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Safely dispose of unwanted, expired, and unused medication. Clean out the clutter of pills, tablets, and capsules filling your medicine cabinet on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring all your unwanted medication to any of the five collection sites hosted by law enforcement in Santa Fe County. This service is free, anonymous and no questions asked.

Collection Sites
• The Sheriff’s Office will be at the Agora Shopping Center, 7 Ave Vista Grande (in Eldorado) and at the Rancho Viejo Village Market, 55 Canada del Rancho
• State Police will have a collection station at the “old” Walmart at 3251 Cerrillos Road
• The Santa Fe City Police will have two locations which are also the sites of new permanent drop box locations, one at the Police Department, 2515 Camino Entrada and one at Santa Fe Fire Station 1, 200 Murales Road (near Fort Marcy Complex)

“Prescription medication abuse is a very big problem in Santa Fe County. Most of these drugs are easily accessible, they come from family and friends, taken right out of the family medicine cabinet. This is a way to safely remove these medications from the reach of potential abusers,” said Lupe Sanchez, Santa Fe County DWI Program Coordinator.

“We are happy to provide Santa Fe with these two permanent drop box locations where unwanted prescription medication can be safely disposed of,” said Santa Fe Police Chief Eric Garcia.

Over the last two years more than 1,000 pounds of discarded medication has been collected during these bi-annual events. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has coordinated these dates nation-wide. But now local law enforcement is working together to provide an opportunity to introduce the community to the permanent drop locations and to conveniently collect these medications. All drugs are collected and then safely destroyed by the New Mexico State Police.

This collection operation is a joint effort of the Santa Fe County Community Services Department (DWI Program), Santa Fe County Sherriff, Santa Fe Police, Santa Fe Fire, New Mexico State Police, and the Santa Fe Prevention Alliance.

For more information, contact: Peter Olson, Santa Fe County DWI Program

Phone: office (505) 992-9844 cell 629-9278
polson@santafecountynm.gov