(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications on "National Take Back Day," Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at numerous locations throughout Orange County.
“This is a great opportunity for individuals to clean out their medicine cabinets while helping to safeguard the health and well-being of those they love,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of the HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services. “Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. The opioid crisis is nationwide and participating in events like National Take Back Day makes an impact.”
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. The National Take Back Event supports our commitment to the safety and health of our local community, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from homes as a measure to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
Patricia DeMarco Centeno, MD, HCA’s Deputy Health Officer, Medical Director of Mental Health and Recovery Services shared that, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 60,000 children end up in the emergency room every year due to accidental overdoses from medicines in the home. Disposing of unused or expired medications can protect our children from these accidents by eliminating access.”
The Take Back Day event helps to draw attention to this ongoing issue and reminds us that together we can keep our community safe. To locate a Take Back drop-off site near you, please visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1 (800) 882-9539. Drop-off service is free and anonymous.
To learn more about drug misuse prevention efforts in Orange County or to find local safe disposal locations available year-round, visit: www.ochealthinfo.com/adept. To help keep everyone safe, Take Back drop-off sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
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