Mother Lode Working To Counter Accidental Drug Poisonings

Sonora, CA – Law enforcement in the Mother Lode, and non-profit organizations, want to crack down on accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse of medications.

This weekend the sheriff’s offices of Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Mariposa County are holding a Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 26th. The public will be able to turn in any unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications to be disposed of properly. The goal is to reduce accidental poisonings, overdoses, and medication abuse.

Deputies with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up with YESPartnership and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host the event at the Motherlode Fairgrounds Manzanita Building during the Tuolumne County Health Fair, which runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office “Drop the Drugs” day is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two sites:

1. Calaveras County Office of Education, 185 South Main Street\HWY 49 in Angels Camp
2. Toyon Middle School  3412 Double Springs Road, along Highway 12, between San Andreas and Valley Springs

Calaveras Sheriff’s officials report that since the program’s inception in 2011, the event has removed thousands of pounds of potentially hazardous drugs and medications from the community. They added, “Historically, improper disposal methods such as flushing medicines down toilets or tossing them in the trash have posed significant safety, environmental, and health risks. Returning unused drugs to law enforcement agencies for proper disposal remains the safest and most environmentally responsible method, and the DEA is proud to support this initiative.”

The Mariposa sheriff’s event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their office at 5099 Old HWY N and the sheriff’s substation #1 at 10549 Fiske Road in Coulterville. Sheriff’s officials added, “The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.”