Prevention Groups and Escondido Police Collaborate to Promote Safe Disposal
WHAT: The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Symposium is a free community event hosted in partnership with YMCA of San Diego County and 2-1-1 San Diego to provide information, resources and services to grandparents raising grandchildren and other relative caregivers raising young family members.
A portable Prescription Drug Drop Box will be available to attendees to provide a safe disposal option and help spread the word about the importance of safe disposal of unused and expired medication.
WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.
*Photo & interview opportunities can be arranged if needed from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.
*Escondido Police Department will be collecting unused and expired medication from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.
WHERE: NORTH INLAND LIVE WELL CENTER, 649 W. MISSION AVENUE, ESCONDIDO
WHO: YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, 2-1-1 SAN DIEGO, ESCONDIDO POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND NORTH COUNTY RESIDENTS
HOW: To register online, visit:
WHY:
• 67% of youth who misuse prescription medications obtain their medication from friends and relatives (SAMHSA NSDUH Data Review, 2016)
• Prescription drug abuse has become a leading cause of accidental deaths in San Diego County, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. In 2017, San Diego County lost 273 people to unintentional deaths due to prescription medications.
• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, persons age 65 years and older comprise only 13% of the population, yet account for more than one-third of total outpatient spending on prescription medication in the United States.
• Prescription drug abuse is one of the nation’s fastest growing drug problems.
• According to a 2018 Safe Disposal Survey of more than 3,000 San Diego County residents, nearly two-thirds report properly disposing of their medication (PDTAF, 2018).
• For more information on prescription drug abuse, proper disposal and permanent drop box locations, visit San Diego Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force.
CALL TO ACTION:
– Use medications only as directed
– Don’t share your medications with family members or loved ones
– Secure your meds in a place where visitors and youth can’t find/steal them
– Properly dispose of unused medications as soon as possible; with a DEA-authorized collector such as a pharmacy collection box or at a Drug Take Back day event, not in the trash or down a toilet
