(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, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at numerous locations throughout Orange County (OC).
“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 HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services. “Pharmaceutical medication can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. The opioid crisis is nationwide and here in Orange County. 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 HCA’s commitment to the safety and health of the OC community by encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from homes to prevent misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
The Take Back Day event helps to draw attention to this ongoing issue and reminds us that together we can keep our communities safe. To locate a Take Back drop 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 medication 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.
