(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 23 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. Jeffrey Nagel, Deputy Agency Director of Behavioral Health Services. “One of the main sources of drug misuse is prescription pain medication taken from a friend or family member. 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. Medicines that are stored in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse. Rates of prescription drug misuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
The Take Back Day event helps to draw attention to this ongoing issue and reminds us how we together 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 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.
