Unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs have been determined to present substantial risks to our community by either falling into the wrong hands, or by damaging our environment through improper disposal. It is this awareness that has resulted in the Oceanside Police Department and other participating law enforcement agencies to provide a safe alternative method to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals.
The Problem
Studies have shown that residential supplies of pharmaceutical controlled substances – those found in our home medicine cabinets – have become the supply of choice for young people and criminals. Many abusers, a high percentage of which are teens, are known to have obtained their controlled substances from the homes of family and friends.
In addition, research has shown that our environment has been threatened by medications being flushed down toilets.
Most controlled substances are created synthetically, and are not removed through normal water-treatment processes. This can result in the discharge of these substances into the environment and into our ground water supplies.
The Solution
The Oceanside Police Department has installed a secure pharmaceutical drug collection drop-box at the Evidence and Property Facility at 4927 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056. We accept expired and unwanted prescription drugs from individual end users. We do not accept any expired or unwanted drugs from commercial institutions such as Doctor’s Offices, Clinics, Nursing Homes, Care Facilities, etc., or used syringes that now, or in the past, held illegal/street drugs. Also, we do not accept items such as inhalers, catheters, tubing, I.V. and enema bags or any other medical equipment. Pill bottles must be emptied into “re-closable” plastic bags. We do not accept containers. A supply of re-closable plastic bags is available at the Evidence and Property facility.
Medications in standard containers may be deposited in those containers. Loose medication can be put into plastic bags available at the collection box and then deposited. Syringes cannot be placed in the drop box under any circumstances. This creates a hazardous situation for our evidence personnel.
Once collected, evidence staff will ensure the medication is disposed of according to State and Federal laws.
