The Hollister Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public a chance in October to rid their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
Locals can bring pills for disposal to Target at 1790 Airline Highway on Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Liquids must be handed over in tightly sealed containers.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The 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 United States 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.
American citizens are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
This is the 14th public opportunity in seven years to rid homes of prescription drugs.
Last April, Americans turned in 900,000 pounds of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall in the 13 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds of pills.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 28 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
