It’s time to clean out the medicine cabinet.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Pleasanton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold the city’s seventh annual drug take back program.
The program allows people to get rid of expired prescriptions and keep them out of the hands of those they’re not intended for. According to the DEA and the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse with prescription drug abuse rates in the U.S. alarmingly high.
The same survey states that more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than those using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets.
“The program allows the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs,” said Police Sergeant Penelope Tamm.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pleasanton Police Department, 4833 Bernal Ave. The drop-off is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
Representatives from Mothers with a Purpose will be on hand to share prescription drug abuse information with the public.
During the last three take-back events, nearly one million pounds of prescription drugs were turned in at more than 5,300 sites across the country.
For more information about the drug take back in Pleasanton, contact Tamm at 931-5100.
