5 Tons of Prescription Drugs Turned in During Take-Back Day

Nearly five tons of unused prescription drugs were collected in Coronado, the rest of San Diego County and three locations in Imperial County during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day last month.

In addition to Coronado, local law enforcement agencies from San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa and elsewhere in the region collected the potentially dangerous medications from members of the public during the sixth annual event, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Many collection sites provided drive-thru service for convenience. Community groups and coalitions also joined with local law enforcement agencies to provide drug awareness literature and community resource information.

According to a 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey, twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs than the number of those who regularly used cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin and inhalants combined.

That same study revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.

A total of 371 tons of prescription drugs were collected nationwide during take-back day this year.

– City News Service