Petaluma PD participate in drug take-back event, collect over 200lbs

PETALUMA, Calif. -- The Petaluma Police Department participated in the 10th Drug Enforcement Administration'S National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day last week.

Police said the department collected over 200 pounds of unwanted medications turned in by residents.

According to police the DEA and over 4,200 of its state, local and tribal law enforcement partners collected almost 900,000 pounds of unwanted medications.

Police said California was among the top five states with the largest collections with 32 tons. Texas, almost 40 tons, Wisconsin, 31 tons, Illinois 24 tons and Massachusetts, 24 tons were the other states with the highest totals.

DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement, "Take-Back events like these raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to prevent substance abuse."