ESCONDIDO–Palomar Health Communities Coalition Escondido, the Escondido Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public an opportunity to prevent drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription pills and patches.
On September 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can bring their unwanted prescription pills or patches to Escondido police and fire headquarters at 1163 N. Centre City Parkway. Liquids or needles cannot be accepted. The service is free and anonymous.
DEA began the “Take Back” events in 2010. Since that time, the DEA and local law enforcement partners have taken in over 4.8 million pounds of prescription pills.
The initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse, and abuse. Unused prescription pills may lead to accidental poisonings and overdoses, and persons who abuse prescription drugs often obtain the drugs from family, friends, and the home medicine cabinet. The DEA drug take back day is an alternative to flushing unwanted pills down the drain or throwing them in the trash—both of which pose potential safety and health hazards.
