The Long Beach Police Department has joined forces with Long Beach Memorial to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Pharmaceutical Take-Back initiative along with several other law enforcement agencies around the nation.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medications that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and/or abuse. Prescription drug abuse in the United States is increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to their availability. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medications, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away — both of which are potential safety and health hazards.

This local event seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft through the collection of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and/or unwanted prescription drugs. Last year’s event held in October yielded 450 pounds of pharmaceuticals.

The event will offer a drive-thru service that is free and anonymous. The driver of the 25th, 50th, and 75th participating vehicle will be awarded a pair of Aquarium of the Pacific tickets. The event will take place this Saturday from 10:00am until 2:00pm at Long Beach Memorial, located at 2801 Atlantic Avenue. Organizers ask that you enter the main campus entrance off of Atlantic Avenue, drive through campus on Memorial Medical Center Drive, and exit onto Long Beach Boulevard.

Once collected, the unwanted pharmaceuticals will be turned over to the DEA who will safely destroy the drugs. For more information regarding the National Take Back Initiative, visit www.dea.gov or contact the Long Beach Police Department’s Drug Investigations Section at (562) 570-7221.