Auburn Police Department prepares for drug take-back event April 30

Looking to increase its average intake of drugs during the county-wide take-back event April 30, the Auburn Police Department has been planning different ways to reach community members. The event unofficially pits police department against police department to see who can take the most drugs out of their communities. Drop-off locations accept prescription and over-the-counter drugs, controlled substances and veterinary medications. Vaping devices will also be collected with batteries removed. Collection locations in Auburn include the police department at City Hall, 1225 Lincoln Way, and the Placer County Sheriff's Office at the Justice Center, 2929 Richardson Drive, in North Auburn. Auburn Police Department Volunteer Paul Kessler said the department collects on average 500-700 pounds of pills during the free event, which is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Last year's event broke the Placer County record with more than 7,000 pounds of medication collected for safe disposal, according to the county. This year, Auburn plans to take the effort on the road and visit retirement centers ahead of the event. Going to the community to collect these items is difficult, Kessler said, because the effort requires a police escort due to the sensitivity of the materials being collected. "The only thing we won't accept is needles," Kessler said. "What surprises me more than anything else is how many drugs are brought in for people who have passed away. Sometimes, subscription services continue after death." After the drugs are collected, they are put into boxes and taken (via police escort) to the Sacramento Drug Enforcement Administration, where they will be incinerated, "plastic bottles and everything." Pills and or liquids do not need to be removed from the original bottles. Unacceptable items include sharps, lancets, medical waste, illicit drugs, cannabis products, aerosols and hydrogen peroxide. Additional locations include Loomis (Del Oro High School, 3301 Taylor Road), Lincoln (Lincoln Police Department, 770 7th Street), Rocklin (Rocklin Police Department, 4040 Rocklin Road and 2001 Wildcat Blvd.), Roseville (Oakmont High School, 1710 Cirby Way; Roseville High School, 1 Tiger Way; and Sun City – Roseville, 7050 Del Web Road) and Truckee (Gateway Shopping Center, 11290 Donner Pass Road.). For more information, call 916-258-2302.