SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department will collaborate with the Drug Enforcement Administration on Saturday, April 30, with an initiative to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft.
Accessibility to prescription drugs can encourage diversion, misuse, and abuse, according to a press release from the SMPD. The SMPD alongside the DEA are encouraging the public to rid their homes and medicine cabinets of prescription drugs by providing another opportunity to turn over any expired, unused, or unwanted prescriptions. The service is both free and anonymous.
Law enforcement officials will be collecting unwanted prescriptions at the front curb of the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility, at 333 Olympic Drive, located at the corner of 4th Street and Olympic. The take back will transpire between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Over 52.4 percent of prescription drugs are obtained free from either a friend or relative, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Americans are now advised that flushing or throwing away pills poses both safety and health hazards, according to the DEA.
The SMPD and DEA are hosting this event with the prospect of offering an alternate course of action for those wishing to dispose of any prescriptions.
Last September, Americans turned in over 702,000 pounds of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 sites operated by state and local police departments.
Law enforcement officials have taken back over 5.5 million pounds of prescription drugs in the previous 10 take back events.
