County Programs

Operation Medicine Cabinet

Unwanted household medications are now easier to dispose of thanks to Operation Medicine Cabinet

In response to growing demand for a safe, convenient way to dispose of household medications, the Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division has teamed up with the County Sheriff’s Department to provide free drop-boxes at each of the Sheriff’s nine substations throughout the county.  Residents can bring all types of unwanted medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Collection Locations

The Sheriff’s Department will accept unwanted household medications at each of its nine substations throughout the county.  Unless otherwise noted, all drop-boxes are located outside in front of the stations.

Carpinteria
5775 Carpinteria Avenue
(805) 684-4561
* Drop-box is located inside the lobby and accessible Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm

Santa Barbara
4434 Calle Real
(805) 681-4100

Goleta
7042 Market Place Drive
(805) 571-1540
* Drop-box is located inside the lobby and accessible 24 hours a day

Isla Vista
6504 Trigo Road
(805) 681-4179

Lompoc
3500 Harris Grade
(805) 737-7737

Buellton
140 West Highway 246
(805) 686-8150

Solvang
1745 Mission Drive
(805) 686-5000

Santa Maria
812-A West Foster Road
(805) 934-6150

New Cuyama
215 Newsome Street
(661) 766-2310

Accepted Items

• Over-the-counter medications
• Prescription medications
• Medication samples
• Medications for household pets
• Medicated lotions

Please keep medications in their original containers and remove or scratch out all personal information, including name, address and phone number.

NOT Accepted

• Needles or other "sharps"
• Hazardous Waste
• Thermometers
• Personal care products (e.g. non-medicated shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Trash
• Mail
• Lost and found materials
• Empty medicine containers
• Business/Professional waste

The program is only for household medications. Medical professionals are not eligible.

Why is it important to get rid of unwanted medications?

• Teenagers and young adults are abusing medications — some are taken right from their parents' or grandparents' medicine cabinet — at an alarming rate.
• Young children and pets accidentally ingest medications found around the home, leading to potential poisoning.
• Seniors can mistakenly mix incompatible medications or take expired drugs that may be harmful to them.

Why should we avoid flushing medications or throwing them in the trash?

• Wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to remove many of the constituents found in medications, so these materials pass untreated into our water system. Researchers have detected trace elements of medications in numerous water bodies nationwide.
• Medications thrown in the trash are susceptible to retrieval by individuals or pets. When sent to the landfill, medications can potentially enter the environment.

More information

Additional information is available in our downloadable pamphlet about Operation Medicine Cabinet:

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Copyright © 2000 Santa Barbara County Public Works Department
Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division

Last updated: January 27, 2010