National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Throwing your prescription drugs down the drain taints the water supply.

Toss them in the trash and you risk a small child or animal finding them.

That's why law enforcement and a local nonprofit will hold a prescription drug drop-off event later this month.

The national Prescription Drug Take Back Day takes place April 30 at the .

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the south building at the hospital, 7777 Norris Canyon Road.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic in the United States, notes the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, a nonprofit founded by San Ramon resident April Rovero, whose son died in December 2009 of a prescription drug overdose.

"One way people are getting addicted to dangerous drugs is by raiding the medicine cabinets of their friends and family," says a City of San Ramon flier.

On April 30, the Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies nationwide will hold similar events at which people can turn in their unused drugs for free and anonymously – no questions asked.

The San Ramon Police Department has a year-round drop-off service, too, at the Dougherty Police Substation, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road. Drop-off hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

No needles, sharps or illegal drugs are accepted at the April 30 event or the year-round drop-off station in Dougherty Valley.