DEA Hosts 122 Collection Sites On Saturday, April 30 Th For Drug Take-Back
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Drug Enforcement Administration and its Los Angeles area community partners will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. O n Saturday, April 30 th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, DEA and local law enforcement will host 122 collection sites throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last September, Los Angeles area residents collected and turned in over 8,100 pounds-4 tons-of prescription drugs at collection sites operated by DEA’s state and local law enforcement partners. The agency hopes to collect even more this spring by opening the event to long term care facilities.
Of the 122 collection sites, there are: 49 in Los Angeles County, 21 in Orange County, 16 in San Bernardino County, 12 in Riverside County, 10 in San Luis Obispo County, 10 in Ventura County, 3 in Santa Barbara County. To find a nearby collection site by visit www.dea.gov , clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and following the links to the database.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high--more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
“The Prescription Drug Take-Back event provides area residents with a safe way to dispose of their unwanted medication,” said Timothy J. Landrum, DEA Special Agent in Charge. “Unused or expired medications are a public safety issue, and can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. The DEA is committed to helping keep homes in our communities safe, by ridding our medicine cabinets of expired, unused, and unwanted drugs.”
*** Audio actuality is available for the media from Los Angeles DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy J. Landrum. (Members of the media are invited to use this audio for their story needs.)
The audio can be accessed by doing the following:
Dial 1-866-402-4116, and then dial mailbox number 1 or 4
Listen and record
For additional information pertaining to DEA and prescription drug abuse, visit www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.JustThinkTwice.comand www.dea.gov .
