Prescription Drug Take Back Day in San Diego, CA

Teens are very good at finding new and creative ways to get high and use dangerous drugs. Many teens have turned to getting high on prescription medications they find in their parents' medicine cabinets. Some of the prescription medications most commonly abused by teens are painkillers, depressants and stimulants. Abusing these drugs can cause severe health problems or even lead to early and tragic death.

In an effort to clean out their medicine cabinets, may well-meaning adults have been flushing old and unused medicine down the toilet or washing them down the drain. USAToday contributor, Ric Francis of the AP service states "Pharmaceuticals in waterways are damaging wildlife across the nation and around the globe, research shows." The same article states recent water analysis in San Diego County has shown an increase in the water supply of drugs particulates such as ibuprofen, meprobamate and phenytoin.

On Saturday, April 17, 2010 six locations around San Diego County will be set up as drop-off points for old, expired and no longer needed prescription drugs. Drop off locations will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In an effort to keep drugs out the hands of teens and out of the local water supply, the County of San Diego is providing an opportunity to safely clean out your medicine cabinets.

The Prescription Drug Take Back Day offers a convenient way for everyone to safely get rid of unused and expired medications - no questions asked. Prevention and treatment providers will also be on hand at each drop off location to answer questions. The six locations in San Diego County are:

County Administration Center, located at 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA
Tri-City Medical Center, located at 4002 W. Vista Way Oceanside, CA
Poway Sheriff's Station, located at 13100 Bowron Road, Poway CA
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, located at 354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA.
East County Courthouse, located at 250 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA
South Bay Courthouse, 500 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA.

The event was organized by the task force members, led by Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price, Sheriff Bill Gore, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, and Health and Human Services Agency Director Nick Macchione.

For more information about the event, contact the San Diego Sheriff's Office of Public Affairs at (858) 974-2259. To find out if your area is organizing a Prescription Drug Take Back Day, contact your local law enforcement office or county administrator.