FVPD to hold prescription drug disposal event Saturday

The Fountain Valley Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will offer an opportunity to the public to properly dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The DEA Take Back event will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the police department, 10200 Slater Ave.

The service, which is free and anonymous, will be offered for the 11th time in the past six years. By offering a place to properly dispose of prescription drugs, the agencies hope to help prevent prescription drug abuse, unintentional consumption and other dangerous situations.

Only prescription drugs in pill or patch form will be permitted; liquid, needles and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

At another Take Back collection held nationwide in September, Americans turned in 350 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 5,000 sites. When those results are combined with what was collected in its ten previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Additionally, Americans are now advised that their 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.

For more information, call the FVPD at (714) 593-4485.