DEA Hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
LOS ANGELES (KNX 1070) — Saturday marks National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and many sheriff and police stations throughout the Southland are offering people the chance to clear out their cabinets of all unused or expired prescription drugs.
Those wishing to drop off meds can visit any one of the collection sites listed on the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Web site between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says teenagers are the biggest abusers of prescription drugs and Take- Back Day is designed to remove temptation from anyone who would abuse prescription medicines.
White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske says abuse of prescription drugs is a safety issue that can lead to poisoning, overdose and even death.
"We're very concerned about people not recognizing, because of the fact that they are prescriptions, that they are in fact dangerous," Kerlikowske said, adding that "the number of deaths as a result is greater than from gunshot wounds and so people really need to put that in perspective."
KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports that people in the greater Los Angeles area dropped off more than 8,000 pounds of prescription drugs during the last Take-Back Day in September. Officials hope to collect more this time.
