Police will collect expired, unwanted drugs at Main Gate

DRUG TAKEBACK

Takeback events prevent unwanted drugs from being stolen or misused

The Seal Beach Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency will hold a drug takeback event at the Main Gate on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Takeback events give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

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 U.S. 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.

The usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash— pose potential safety and health hazards.

“Throughout Orange County we hear of tragic events in which people die from an overdose of prescription medication,” said Seal Beach Chief of Police Michael Henderson. “By creating this opportunity for the community to safely dispose of unused and expired medication, our goal is to help prevent access to dangerous prescription medication.”

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back Day event, visit https:// takebackday.dea.gov/.