September 26 was an eventful day for drug rehab centers in San Diego and across the nation. Since 2010, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency has initiated National Drug Take Back Day for the safe disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs.
Where to Donate
The DEA’s website included a link to find the nearest collection site. In San Diego County alone, the site listed over 40 locations in which Sheriff’s deputies were available to collect prescriptions. These locations included pharmacies, grocery store parking lots and hospitals—which often aid drug rehab centers in treating patients for substance abuse.
What to Donate
Most items collected include partially-used prescriptions that have been forgotten about or are no longer needed. Other times, citizens who have been misusing prescriptions and want to come clean will dispose of these harmful drugs with no legal action taken against them, and at no cost.
Why it Matters
Because prescription drugs are recommended by doctors, people often believe these substances are less harmful than illegal drugs, and thus feel safer taking them even when the prescription doesn’t belong to them. In 2009, the White House declared prescription drug abuse an “epidemic,” rating it the second-most abused drug in the U.S. after marijuana.
Keeping or refilling old prescriptions outside of the recommended dosage is irresponsible and can lead to a myriad of problems. The Monitoring the Future Study reported that in 2013, 21 percent of high school seniors had abused prescription drugs at least once in their lifetime.
But simply flushing old drugs down the drain or toilet can be hazardous, which makes National Drug Take Back day the safest and most convenient way to dispose of prescriptions.
Missed Out?
If you were unable to participate in National Take Back Day in San Diego or elsewhere, there is always an option for safe removal. To find out how to safely discard of old prescriptions at other times throughout the year, speak with your local police department or drug rehab centers in the area.
Emily Culp is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Center. Follow on Twitter
Where to Donate
The DEA’s website included a link to find the nearest collection site. In San Diego County alone, the site listed over 40 locations in which Sheriff’s deputies were available to collect prescriptions. These locations included pharmacies, grocery store parking lots and hospitals—which often aid drug rehab centers in treating patients for substance abuse.
What to Donate
Most items collected include partially-used prescriptions that have been forgotten about or are no longer needed. Other times, citizens who have been misusing prescriptions and want to come clean will dispose of these harmful drugs with no legal action taken against them, and at no cost.
Why it Matters
Because prescription drugs are recommended by doctors, people often believe these substances are less harmful than illegal drugs, and thus feel safer taking them even when the prescription doesn’t belong to them. In 2009, the White House declared prescription drug abuse an “epidemic,” rating it the second-most abused drug in the U.S. after marijuana.
Keeping or refilling old prescriptions outside of the recommended dosage is irresponsible and can lead to a myriad of problems. The Monitoring the Future Study reported that in 2013, 21 percent of high school seniors had abused prescription drugs at least once in their lifetime.
But simply flushing old drugs down the drain or toilet can be hazardous, which makes National Drug Take Back day the safest and most convenient way to dispose of prescriptions.
Missed Out?
If you were unable to participate in National Take Back Day in San Diego or elsewhere, there is always an option for safe removal. To find out how to safely discard of old prescriptions at other times throughout the year, speak with your local police department or drug rehab centers in the area.
Emily Culp is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Center. Follow on Twitter