Stanislaus County Municipal Code Ch. 9.94 Prescription Medication Disposal Program

Unwanted, unused, or expired pharmaceutical controlled substances, commonly known as prescription drugs, are a public safety, public health, and environmental hazard because they can fall into the wrong hands of children or criminals or be introduced to the environment through improper disposal. Experience has shown that parents, patients, and others in possession of such prescription drugs will take advantage of opportunities for the safe and secure disposal of such prescription drugs. One way in which citizens can be provided an opportunity is for the county to provide secure drop boxes for the disposal of unwanted, unused, or expired pharmaceutical controlled substances.

The Department of Justice has advised that for purposes of Federal Regulation of Controlled Substances, the board of supervisors, pursuant to Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1301.24(a)(2), may authorize the sheriff and designees to possess pharmaceutical controlled substances in the performance of his or her duties. This chapter will enable the sheriff to operate prescription drug drop boxes inside facilities designated by the sheriff.

The board of supervisors, in conjunction with the sheriff, have determined that it would benefit the citizens of the county of Stanislaus for the sheriff to develop and operate a system of secure drop boxes located inside facilities designated by the sheriff to allow citizens to dispose of their unwanted, unused, or expired pharmaceutical controlled substances.

(Ord. CS 1144 §1, 2014)

In accordance with the purposes and provisions of Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1301.24(a)(2), or any applicable successor provision of federal law, the sheriff and designee are authorized to possess pharmaceutical controlled substances in the performance of his or her duties.

(Ord. CS 1144 §1, 2014)