Spring Cleaning? Do The Prescription Drug Take-Back
Apr 27, 2017 10:17AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
It's spring, which means it's time for spring cleaning and making your house safer. You can do your part for your family and community by participating in the Prescription Drug Take-Back event on Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
The event offers residents an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Medications (pills or patches) will be accepted for disposal at the Manhattan Beach Police Department (south lobby entrance) at 13th St. and Morningside Drive. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back event represents a partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration that aims to address 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 have shown that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many residents do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicines, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
In addition to the bi-annual DEA Take Back event, the Manhattan Beach Police Department also offers 24/7 medication drop-off, in a secure collection bin, which is located in the front lobby of the police department.
As a result of both the October 2016 DEA Take Back event and the MBPD’s collection bin, nearly 1100 pounds of unwanted or expired medications have been collected and turned over to the DEA for destruction.
Please note that the program cannot accept illicit substances, liquids, and new or used hypodermic needles or sharps.
The event offers residents an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Medications (pills or patches) will be accepted for disposal at the Manhattan Beach Police Department (south lobby entrance) at 13th St. and Morningside Drive. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back event represents a partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration that aims to address 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 have shown that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many residents do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicines, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
In addition to the bi-annual DEA Take Back event, the Manhattan Beach Police Department also offers 24/7 medication drop-off, in a secure collection bin, which is located in the front lobby of the police department.
As a result of both the October 2016 DEA Take Back event and the MBPD’s collection bin, nearly 1100 pounds of unwanted or expired medications have been collected and turned over to the DEA for destruction.
Please note that the program cannot accept illicit substances, liquids, and new or used hypodermic needles or sharps.
