Drop-Off Unwanted Prescriptions at a Collection Site Near You
on National Take Back Day

(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on “National Take Back Day” Saturday, April 28 at several locations throughout Orange County.
 
“This is a great opportunity for folks to clean out their medicine cabinets while helping to safeguard the health and well-being of those they love. One of the main sources of drug misuse is prescription pain medication they’ve taken from a friend or family member,” said Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer. “The opioid crisis is nationwide and participating in events like National Take Back Day is critical.”
 
This initiative, created by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), addresses a vital public safety and public health issue by reducing the risk of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. In addition, the DEA now advises against prior methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—since both pose potential safety and health hazards.
 
To locate a collection site near you, please visit the DEA’s website at https://takebackday.dea.gov/. The drop-off service is free and anonymous. To learn more about drug abuse prevention efforts in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.

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