14th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

On Saturday, Oct.28th, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Santa Barbara Police Department will be partnering with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to hold another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

This is an opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

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 US 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 medications—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.  During the previous Take-Back event in April 2016 the DEA and its partners collected 893,498 pounds—about 447 tons—of medication, demonstrating the value of this service. 

The collection location in the City of Santa Barbara will be at the La Cumbre Plaza Mall, 121 S. Hope Avenue, the drop off is located North of Starbucks on the sidewalk facing the parking lot.  Beat Coordinators Officer Adrian Gutierrez, Officer Beth Lazarus and Officer Bryan Kerr will be there and will have collection boxes setup to collect pills or medicated patches (no liquids, needles, or sharps).  This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.  Everyone is invited to stop by, to chat with the Officers, and to deposit unwanted medications for safe destruction. 

For those unable to attend Saturday’s event, unwanted medications may also be disposed of throughout the year in the drug disposal box located inside the Santa Barbara Police Department lobby at 215 E. Figueroa Street.

Information regarding the disposal of liquid medications, needles, or sharps can be found here:http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/HomeHazWaste/Medications/Household.htm and http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/HomeHazWaste/Sharps/Household.htm.