National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Tomorrow
By Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer
Tomorrow, April 26, 2014, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be sponsoring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The DEA has teamed up with local law enforcement across the country to set up numerous locations in which people can drop off expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs in order to prevent prescription drug abuse or theft. Prescription drugs can be dropped off at no cost, anonymously, and with no questions asked
“Prescription drugs when used properly according to a doctor’s instructions can be a wonderful tool in protecting or improving a person’s health,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “However, used improperly, prescription drugs can be deadly, so I urge all Orange County residents to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to dispose of prescription drugs that are no longer needed for medical use.”
There is a national epidemic of prescription drug abuse. The Centers for Disease Control report that deaths from prescription drug abuse have surpassed deaths from illegal drugs and even deaths from car crashes. In Orange County, prescription drug abuse takes a life every two days. In 2012, Orange County had 330 overdose deaths, with 188 deaths (57%) involving prescription drugs, according to the Orange County Coroner.
In last April’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department collected 1,688 pounds of prescription drugs. They collected 1,317 pounds in October’s take back day.
For tomorrow’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the DEA is working with the Anaheim Police Department, the Irvine Police Department, the Orange Police Department, the Tustin Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to help Third District residents dispose of their unneeded prescription drugs.
There are one location in Anaheim where prescription drugs can be dropped off on Saturday, April 26, 2014, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM:
Anaheim
Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center
3640 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
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