East SBV Times

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is offering an opportunity for residents to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. This initiative, known as the 26th Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2024. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and aims to prevent pill abuse and theft by allowing the public to discard potentially dangerous, expired, unused, or unwanted medications.

Participants can bring their pills for disposal to any of the designated collection sites without any cost or questions asked. The service remains anonymous to encourage participation.

In April of this year, over 670,136 pounds (335 tons) of prescription drugs were collected at more than 4,600 sites nationwide. These efforts address significant public safety concerns related to accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose stemming from unused medications. By removing these drugs from homes, lives are protected and environmental risks are reduced.

Unused medicines left in home cabinets are prone to diversion and misuse. Prescription drug abuse rates in the United States are high and contribute significantly to accidental poisonings and overdoses. Studies reveal that most abused prescription drugs come from family and friends' medicine cabinets.

Improper disposal methods like flushing medicines down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose health hazards. The DEA advises against such practices.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department will host three collection locations: Highland Police Department at 26985 E. Baseline St., Highland; Yucaipa Sheriff’s Station at 34144 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa; and Victor Valley Station at 11613 Bartlett Ave., Adelanto. No appointments are needed for dropping off medications.

Residents are encouraged to check their homes for old or unused prescriptions and bring them to one of these sites on October 26 for safe disposal.

For additional information regarding prescription drug disposal or details about the Take-Back Day event, visit www.dea.gov/takebackday or call 1-800-882-9539. Inquiries can also be directed to the Sheriff's Public Affairs Division at 909-387-3700.

"SHANNON DICUS," Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department