The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is proud to announce its partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” day. The event will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2014, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The program allows members of the public to drop off potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at any of the below listed Sheriff’s Stations throughout Riverside County.

Last April, Americans turned in 390 tons (over 780,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,400 of its state and local law enforcement partners. When those results are combined with what was collected in its eight previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 4.1 million pounds—more than 2,100 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

More information can be found by going to: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
Other participants in this initiative include the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Attorneys General, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National District Attorney’s Association.

The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

The next Prescription Drug Take-Back Program is taking place on Saturday, September 27, 2014, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the following Sheriff’s Stations:

Local Location:
Jurupa Valley Sheriff's Station
7477 Mission Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92509
951-955-2600 

Other Sheriff's Station:
Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station
333 Limited Avenue
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
951-245-3300

Moreno Valley Police Department
22850 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92552
951-486-6700

Southwest Sheriff's Station
30755 A Auld Road
Murrieta, CA 92563
951-696-3000

Cabazon Sheriff's Station
50290 Main Street
Cabazon, CA 92230
951-922-7100

Hemet Sheriff's Station
43950 Acacia Avenue Suite B
Hemet, CA 92544
951-791-3400

Perris Sheriff's Station
137 N. Perris Blvd. Suite A
Perris, CA 92570
951-210-1000

Palm Desert Sheriff's Station
73705 Gerald Ford Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-836-3215

Thermal Sheriff's Station
86625 Airport Blvd.
Thermal, CA 92274
5 760-863-8990