Editorial: Drop off unwanted prescription drugs
Start your spring cleaning efforts on Saturday by rounding up your unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs and dropping them off at one of several local collection sites.
Twice a year the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) puts on a “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” so that unneeded bottles of pills will be safety destroyed. Last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds — 188.5 tons — of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement partners. In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds — nearly 500 tons — of pills.
Saturday’s collection hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations include the Scripps Rancho Bernardo Clinic at 15004 Innovation Drive in Carmel Mountain Ranch and Poway Sheriff’s Station at 13100 Bowron Road. Other San Diego County sites can be found at www.dea.gov. The drop-off process is anonymous — no questions will be asked.
Studies have shown that residential supplies of pharmaceutical controlled substances — those found in home medicine cabinets — have become the supply of choice for young people and criminals. Many abusers, a high percentage of which are teens, are known to have obtained their controlled substances from the homes of family and friends.
In addition, research has shown that the environment has been threatened by medications being flushed down toilets. Most controlled substances are created synthetically, and are not removed through normal water-treatment processes. This can result in the discharge of these substances into the environment and into ground water supplies.
Can’t make it to a drop-off location on Saturday? Come by the Poway or 4S Ranch sheriff’s stations any time during regular business hours. The two stations each have secure drop-off boxes.
No related posts.
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=23899
Posted by 