Drug Take Back Day

DOWNEY, Calif., Oct. 24, 2018 — Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center (KPDMC),in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, is encouraging community members to participate in “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

KPDMC’s Bellflower Medical Offices will serve as a drop site for the disposal of expired, unwanted and unused medicines. Residents may bring their medications for disposal. The service is free, easy and anonymous.

“Medication that remains in the home are highly susceptible to misuse,” said Pamela Tsushio, Pharm D., Area Pharmacy Director, KPDMC. “By properly disposing of prescription drugs, we reduce the risk of abuse, accidental poisonings and environmental damage posed by such medications, especially controlled prescription drugs such as painkillers, tranquilizers and stimulants.”

Prescription drug take back events address vital public safety and public health issues and provide residents with a convenient, anonymous way to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more people started down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs, and each year higher amounts of opioids are being turned in at these events.

With 16 Kaiser Permanente Southern California facilities participating as drop-off sites, the October program marks the second time in 2018 that Kaiser Permanente is supporting a Drug Take Back Day in Southern California. This past April, 11 of the health care provider’s facilities collected more than 6,700 pounds of unused and expired medications.

A listing of additional drop-off locations available for public use can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website. Members of the public who are unable to participate on October 27 can properly dispose of medications at drug disposal kiosks in Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout Southern California.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.2 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.