BTF is now handing out free drug-disposal pouches in Big Bear Valley

Breakthrough Task Force (BTF) is offering free Deterra drug deactivation pouches to Big Bear Valley residents, with no cap on how many a person can take. The shift to at-home disposal comes after two consecutive institutional programs collapsed — first over needle-safety concerns, then when a state-backed replacement was discontinued — leaving the mountain community without a reliable way to safely dispose of unused prescription medications.^[1]

Why the take-back boxes are gone

BTF previously placed prescription drug take-back boxes at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department offices in Big Bear and Twin Peaks and at the Running Springs Fire Department. That program was disbanded earlier in 2026. "It became a safety concern (sharp needles, etc.) for our deputies who emptied the boxes," Stephanie Koch, BTF's senior prevention program coordinator, told The Grizzly. The boxes were never designed to accept needles, but they routinely did.^[1]

BTF then joined a replacement bag program run by Inmar Intelligence in partnership with the state of California. That program was discontinued on June 30, 2026, prompting BTF to adopt the Deterra System, manufactured by Verde Environmental Technologies Inc.^[1] The Grizzly's account of the transition does not include comment from Inmar Intelligence, Verde Environmental Technologies, the Sheriff's Department, or the Running Springs Fire Department on the program changes.

How Deterra works

The process takes three steps: drop unused medications into the pouch, add water, shake, and toss the sealed pouch in the trash. Each pouch holds approximately 15 pills. The system can deactivate pills, capsules, patches, liquids, creams, and topical films, rendering them chemically inert. Needles and other applicators cannot go in the pouches.^[1]

"The cool thing about the deactivation pouches is they're completely environmentally friendly," Koch said. "The bags themselves are completely green material. They biodegrade. And the medications are simply gone."^[1]

BTF says the Deterra system can reduce the likelihood of overdose in homes by 60%.^[1] The origin of that statistic — whether it comes from Verde Environmental Technologies, a peer-reviewed study, or another source — was not specified in The Grizzly's reporting and has not been independently verified by Big Bear News.

Who runs BTF and where it fits

Breakthrough Task Force is a local coalition operating under Rim Family Services' Environmental Prevention Program, based in Big Bear Lake. Its stated mission is to reduce underage access to and use of drugs and alcohol. Rim Family Services is the distributor of the Deterra pouches — it is not a prescription disposal drop-off site.^[1]

"We wanted to offer a safe, responsible and environmentally friendly way for people to get rid of their unwanted, unused and expired prescription medications," Koch said.^[1]

To get pouches, residents can call Rim Family Services at 909-366-0545 or email bttfcoalition@rimfamilyservices.org (opens in a new tab) to schedule a pickup, or pick them up at a BTF coalition booth at community events.^[1]