The Santa Monica Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs next Saturday, April 27.
From 10 am to 2 pm, resident can bring their medications for disposal to the front of the Santa Monica Police Department at 333 Olympic Drive.
An officer will be available at the curb to make it easier for you to just drive up and drop off your unused or unwanted prescription drugs.
The service is free, anonymous, and no questions will be asked.
Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners.
In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than two million pounds-over a thousand 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.
