DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

By: J. Mathieu Burden

Lieutenant - RCSD

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Pixabay

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The rate of prescription drug abuse is increasing.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is proud to announce its partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” day.   The event will take place on Saturday, April 28th, 2018, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  The program allows members of the public to drop off potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at any of the below listed Sheriff’s Stations throughout Riverside County.    This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, 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, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards. More information can be found by going to:  http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ Other participants in this initiative include the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Attorneys General, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National District Attorneys Association. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. The next Prescription Drug Take-Back Program is taking place on Saturday, April 28th, 2018, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the following Sheriff’s Stations: Perris Sheriff’s Station  137 N. Perris Blvd. Suite A  Perris, CA 92570 760-921-7900 Moreno Valley Police Department  22850 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos  Moreno Valley, CA 92552  951-486-6700 Hemet Sheriff’s Station  43950 Acacia Ave. Suite B  Hemet, CA 92544  951-791-3400