LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Police Department will participate in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Lakeport Police Department, 2025 S Main St.

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

Items they will accept are all over-the-counter or prescription medication in pill, tablet, liquid, cream 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 Ziploc-style plastic bag. They do not take pills in paper, as they need to easily see the contents to make sure there is nothing in the bag they can't take.

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

Items they will not accept are illegal drugs, needles, inhalers or aerosol cans.

Since the Lakeport Police Department started participating in the prescription Take Back Program in January of 2019, it has collected 706 pounds of prescription drugs, many of which were dangerous narcotics including opioids.

“This protects our community by keeping these drugs from being diverted to illegal use and keeps it out of our environment and water,” the department said.