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Got a bunch of unwanted or outdated prescription drugs? Saturday is a good day to get rid of them.
It's the DEA's national Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can visit drop-off sites throughout the Southland. Most are operated by police departments or hospitals but some stores and other businesses are also participating.
Bring your pills, bottles and other meds and no one will ask any questions. The service is free and anonymous.
Click here to find a designated collection site.
Many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet, according to the DEA.
With the rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. reaching alarming numbers — the DEA estimates that 6.4 million Americans age 12 or over abusing the medications.
During last year's drug take-back event, more than 32 tons of drugs were collected in California alone, according to the DEA. More than 893,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected nationally.
edicines that languish in home cabinets are
highly susceptible to diversion and abuse.
That's more than the number of people abusing cocaine,
hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to the 2015 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health.