LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department will once again participate in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, as a drive-thru dropoff on the west side of the police station at 2025 S. Main St.

Physical distancing and face masks will be required. Persons arriving at the event will be directed to remain in their vehicles until receiving instructions by police staff.

During the event, the police department will accept all over-the-counter or prescription medication in pill, tablet or capsule form including schedule II-V controlled and non-controlled substances.

Pills need to be emptied out of their containers and placed in a plastic bag – not paper, so they can easily see the contents to make sure there is nothing in the bag they can't take.

The police department said it will collect vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers only after the batteries are removed from the devices. The agency stressed that it will not be responsible for removing the batteries from the devices.

Items that will not be accepted are illegal drugs, needles, inhalers and aerosol cans.

Since the Lakeport Police Department started participating with the prescription Take Back Program in January of 2019, it has collected 634 pounds of prescription drugs, many of which were dangerous narcotics including opioids.