Kaiser Permanente Invites the Public to Dispose of Unused Drugs

PANORAMA CITY, Calif., Oct. 22, 2019 — Kaiser Permanente Southern California facilities, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, are inviting residents to participate in “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fourteen Kaiser Permanente Southern California facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern and San Diego counties will be participating as drop-off sites. This event aims to raise awareness about public safety and health issues, while providing communities with a convenient and anonymous way to safely dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medications.

Residents in the San Fernando Valley can drop off their expired, unwanted or unneeded medication at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center in front of the hospital.

Those unable to participate in the Oct. 26 event can properly dispose of medicines at drug disposal kiosks inside numerous Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout Southern California. These kiosks will be available for public use during regular service hours. A listing of additional drop-off locations can be found on the federal Drug Enforcement Administration website.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we care about the total health of our Southern California community, and believe it’s our duty to educate residents about the importance of the proper and safe disposal of prescription drugs, “said Alan Kiyohara, vice president of Pharmacy Operations and Services for Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

“We also want to raise public awareness about the significant harm that comes from abuse of medications. Studies tell us medicines that remain unused in the home are highly susceptible to misuse that can have dire implications on a person’s health.”

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. continues to be high, as is the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to prescription drugs. According to the DEA, more people start down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs, and each year, high amounts of opioids are being turned in at Drug Take Back Day events locally and across the nation.

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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 12.3 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: https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/