Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 28

Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center and the Baldwin Park Police Department are giving the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted medications. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

A convenient drive-thru service will be available on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center, 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park, CA 91706. Near patient drop-off (medical center entrance).

Items that will be accepted include controlled substances and non-controlled substances/prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and veterinary medications (pills and solids only). Items that will not be accepted include liquid waste products, intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes, hazardous or household waste (paint, oil, batteries, etc.).

“We are proud to partner once again with the Baldwin Park Police Department to provide this opportunity for members of the community to safely dispose of unwanted medications,” says Lou Ortega, PharmD, Outpatient Pharmacy Director, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. “By properly disposing of prescription drugs, we eliminate expired or unwanted medication that can otherwise pose a hazard to the safety of children, families, local communities, and the environment.”

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue while providing residents with a convenient and anonymous way to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines. Medicines that waste away in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that much of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are advised that the 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.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/baldwinpark.