The Scotts Valley Police Department will be teaming up with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for this year’s National Drug Take Back day.
On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., people will be able to drop off potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs in a drop box at the SVPD.
This initiative was started to address a vital public safety and public health issue.
“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,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.”
Last April, Americans turned in 552,161 pounds—276 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,600 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,300 state and local law enforcement partners. In its four previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 1.5 million pounds—nearly 775 tons—of pills.
To drop off prescription drugs on National Drug Take Back day, stop by the Scotts Valley Police Department, 1 Civic Center Dr. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
