Sierra County Probation Announces Medication Take-Back Box

LOYALTON — Sierra County Probation Chief Chuck Henson announced today that the department’s Loyalton service office now provides a secure California Drug Take-Back box for public use to “safely and discreetly” dispose of expired or unwanted medications. Boxes are also operational at the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office in Downieville and at the sheriff’s Loyalton substation.

The probation office box sits at 105 Beckwith Road in Loyalton. It accepts all medications, whether controlled substances classified as Schedule II through V under federal law or non-controlled prescription and over-the-counter products. Schedule II through V medications include drugs with accepted medical uses but varying degrees of potential for abuse and dependence, such as certain opioid pain relievers, stimulants used for attention disorders, sedatives for anxiety or sleep, and some prescription cough preparations. Items not accepted include herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, batteries, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps such as needles and syringes, illicit drugs, pet medications or pesticides, and biologics.

Depositors should keep medicines in original packaging when possible and remove or redact any personal information from labels before placement. The secure container remains available during typical office hours, 7:30 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, with walk-ins welcome; a call to 530-289-3277 ahead of time is appreciated.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office in Downieville, located at 100 Courthouse Square, also hosts a medication drop box open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Loyalton substation at 61050 Highway 49 provides the same service Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

All three locations operate through a partnership with MED-Project USA, a non-profit stewardship organization established by the Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group to run producer-funded take-back programs required by state law. Pharmaceutical manufacturers fund the entire program under California’s Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Program, enacted by Senate Bill 212 in 2018, so neither the county nor residents pay any fees for collection or disposal services. MED-Project USA maintains more than 1,000 similar drop boxes at pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies across California.