Crime & Safety
DEA Holds Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Agency wants the public to drop off unwanted or expired prescription drugs at its various designated sites throughout the Southland.
Southland residents can get rid of unwanted or outdated prescription drugs by dropping them off at designated collection sites during the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, people can drop off the items at numerous sites throughout the region. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
The local collection point is the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's station at 27050 Agoura Rd.
Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
You can also find a location by visiting the website.
During previous Drug Take-Back events, Los Angeles-area residents have turned in thousands of pounds of medicines.
Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the DEA, medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and abuse.
The agency noted that rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high -- with more Americans abusing prescription drugs than cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet, the DEA reported.
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