On Saturday April 27, 2019, the 17th Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was carried out in over forty three collection sites throughout San Diego County including ten locations in North County and Camp Pendleton. The cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista collected approximately 364 pounds of unused prescription medications alone.
Over 5,800 college sites are utilized nationwide using over 4,500 agencies to make it easier for the public to dispose of the unused medications. The collections take place twice a year, in April and October. Tri-City Hospital was used to collect the medications and there was a constant stream of cars bringing bags to be discarded by the DEA and San Diego Sheriffs Department.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1999-2017 almost 400,000 people have died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids. North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) urges everyone who has any left-over prescription medications to come again in October to their nearest prescription disposal site. To find a collection site near you, visit http://www.DEATakeBack.com and if you or a family member is struggling with prescription drug abuse, call (877) 662-6384 or please visit www.SDPDATF.org.
About North Coastal Prevention Coalition
Vista Community Clinic serves as the fiscal agent for NCPC grants and contracts. Funded in part by SAMHSA through a Town Hall stipend and the County of San Diego, HHSA, Behavioral Health Services.
