Police Holding Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Orange County residents have 21 spots to get rid of old prescriptions drugs today.

The Drug Enforcement Administration will be collecting pills around the region from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The
service is free and anonymous.

More than 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, more than 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.The idea is to keep potentially dangerous drugs from being diverted for illegal use.

In September, Americans turned in more than 121 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites at more than 3,000 sites nationwide.

The agency hopes to collect even more this time around by opening the event to nursing homes and other board-and-care facilities.

Click here for a list of collection sites.

A 2009 survey found that Americans abuse prescription drugs at a higher rate than those who use cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined.

"The Prescription Drug Take-Back program provides area residents with a safe way to dispose of their unwanted medication,'' according to Timothy J. Landrum, DEA special agent in charge. "Unused or expired medications are a public safety issue, and can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse.''