LAPD, Kaiser Permanente Hold Collection Sites For Unwanted Rx Drugs

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are encouraging Southern California residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs that are expired or that they no longer need.

The Los Angeles Police Department and Kaiser Permanente have paired up to offer collection sites across the Southland. The "Take Back" event is scheduled for 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Saturday.

Residents can dispose of unwanted medication at the following locations:

Kaiser West LA
6041 Cadillac Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca. 90034
Parking Lot #3

Kaiser Panorama City
13652 Cantara St.
Panorama City, Ca. 91402
North 3 Medical Office

Kaiser Harbor City
25825 S. Vermont Ave.
Harbor City, CA 90710
Vermont Pavilion

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
4760 West Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, Ca. 90027

Vermont Pavilion
25825 S. Vermont Ave.
Harbor City, CA 90710

For the full list of the drop-off sites available visit: www.justice.gov/dea. For more information about sites in Riverside County, residents can call  (951) 955-2400.

The service is free and people dropping off their expired prescription drugs can remain anonymous.

Last September, approximately 244 tons of prescription drugs were turned in at more than 5,000 sites across the nation. In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 1,018 tons of pills, the LAPD reported.

The initiative hopes to put a dent in the increasing rates of prescription drug abuse across the nation, as well as accidental poisonings and overdoses.

Many people reportedly flush their unwanted medication down the toilet but authorities stress that this can pose many potential safety and health hazards.