Scripps Participates in Take-Back Prescription Drugs Day
Scripps helped San Diego collect more than 4,000 pounds of prescription drugs during Prescription Take-Back Day.
In April 2011, Scripps Health hosted five drop-off locations across San Diego County during the second National Prescription Take-Back Day. In an effort to reduce harm and deaths caused by misuse of expired or unneeded prescription drugs, Scripps personnel accepted unused drugs from people who wanted to dispose of their medications safely and anonymously.
The take-back effort, in cooperation with local community partners including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Sherriff’s Office and County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, called countywide attention to the significant role prescription drug abuse plays in our community.
In addition to preventing prescription drug abuse, proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications keeps others safe. Expired medication can cause harm to adults, children and pets if accidentally ingested.
During the 2011 Prescription Take Back Day, DEA San Diego and its partners collected 4,887 pounds of prescription drugs from San Diego and Imperial Counties combined. Nationally, citizens turned in more than 242,000 pounds—121 tons—of prescription drugs.