Carlsbad Joins Prescription Drug Takeback Day Saturday

CARLSBAD, CA — Carlsbad's police department is taking part in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” this weekend.

A collection site will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the City of Carlsbad Safety Training Center located at 5750 Orion Street.

Everyone is invited to bring their expired, unused, and/or unwanted pharmaceuticals will be collected and turned over to the DEA for safe destruction.

The event is free, anonymous, and with no questions asked.

"This Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a great opportunity to clear all the unused and unwanted prescription medications out of your home," Carlsbad Police Department shared in a news release. "This also helps prevent these unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands. Join us and help prevent the misuse of prescription medications."

National Prescription Drug Takeback Day is designed to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential abuse of medications.

Unfortunately, used needles and syringes will not be collected at this event.

The overarching purpose of the “National Take Back Initiative” is to prevent pill abuse and theft through the collection of potentially dangerous and expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. continue to rise, as is the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses of prescription drugs.

According to a recent report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, people who tend to misuse prescription medications originally obtain that medicine through a family member or friend, often without their knowledge.

For more information regarding the National Take Back Initiative, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.