Free Medication Disposal in Fresno County
Disposing of unwanted prescription medications properly keeps chemicals out of our ground water and prevents children and teens from mistakenly taking prescription medications. Disposing of old prescriptions also keeps older adults from confusing their current with past prescriptions. Expired medications may not be as effective and may cause adverse complications.
There is advice on the internet that says medications can be mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds and thrown out in the trash. However, this does not keep curious children, or pets from potentially going into the trash and ingesting the medication. Landfills do not screen for chemicals; likewise the chemicals in medications that are flushed may end up in our rivers.
There are many drop boxes where medications can be safely disposed of in Fresno County year round. Drop box locations cannot force anyone to provide personal information about themselves, their prescription, medical condition, or physician. Most drop boxes advise the medications be placed in a plastic bag, like a Ziploc. The pill containers or boxes should never be placed in the drop box. This way, one’s personal identification is always secure. The drop boxes do not accept medical waste.
The following locations in Fresno County have drop boxes. All accept pills, only a few accept sharps. There is no cost to dispose of medications.
FRESNO
Walgreen Co. – 1016 W Shaw Ave. (559) 229 – 2361
The drop box is located in front of the pharmacy building. They accept pills only.
Walgreen Co. 626 S Clovis Ave. (559) 251 – 0163
The drop box is located in front of the pharmacy building. They accept pills only.
Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. 2200 Fresno St. (559) 488‐3939
The drop box is located in front of the sheriff’s office. They accept pills only.
Fire Station #6. 4343 E. Gettysburg
The drop box is located in front of the fire station. They accept pills and sharps.
CLOVIS
Clovis Police Department. 1233 5th St. (559) 324‐2400
The drop box is located in front of the police dept. They accept pills and sharps.
Coalinga Police Department. 270 N. 6th St. (559) 935‐2313
The drop box is located in front of the police dept. They accept pills only.
Mendota Police Dept. 1000 Airport Blvd. (559) 655‐9120
The drop box is located in front of the police dept. They accept pills only.
Parlier Police Dept. 8770 S. Mendocino Ave. (559) 646‐6600
The drop box is located in front of the police dept. They accept pills and sharps.
Reedley Police Department. 843 ‘G’ Street. (559) 637‐4250
The drop box is located in front of the police dept. They accept pills only.
Selma Police Department. 1935 E. Front St. (559) 896‐2525
The drop box is located in front of the police dept. They accept pills only.
Visalia Walgreen Co. 100 W Walnut Ave. (559) 635 – 7810
The drop box is located in front of the pharmacy building. They accept pills only.
Merced County
San Joaquin Drug. 9215 East HWY 140. Planada, CA 95365
The drop box is located in front of the pharmacy building. They accept pills only.
These locations were verified by AgeWell Fresno staff February 2018