Update Eighth Nationwide Prescription Drug TakeBack Day

Over one thousand pounds of unused, unwanted prescription drugs were turned in to twelve San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department locations that participated in the Eighth Nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back Day that was held on Saturday, April 26. 2014. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its eighth opportunity in four years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal on Saturday, April 26th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the below listed collection sites. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Last October, Americans turned in 324 tons (over 647,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at over 4,114 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its seven previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 3.4 million pounds—more than 1,700 tons—of pills. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. “The success of this program is evident with the 3.4 million pounds – more than 1,700 tons of pills that have been turned in over the previous seven events. It is critical that residents understand that their usual methods of disposing of unused medicines-flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash-both pose potential safety and health hazards,” said Sheriff John McMahon. Citizens are encouraged to look in their homes for any old prescription medication and properly dispose of them. In addition to the collection sites listed above, additional locations throughout Southern California can be found by visiting www.dea.gov and clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon.