San Francisco police on Saturday are taking part in a nationwide prescription drug take-back event at all 10 of its district stations in the city.
The event, part of a partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is an attempt to remove expired or unwanted prescription drugs that can lead to abuse or accidental poisonings in homes, according to police.
Studies have shown that the majority of prescription drug abuse comes from drugs obtained from family or friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Other methods of disposing of the drugs, including flushing them down the toilet, can pose safety hazards, police said.
Drugs that will not be accepted at the event are liquid medications, intravenous solutions, needles, inhalers or patch medications. Illicit drugs such as marijuana and methamphetamine will also not be accepted, according to police.
At the last take-back event the DEA organized in October, about 188.5 tons of prescription drugs were turned in at more than 5,300 sites nationwide.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at all 10 police stations in the city.
To find the closest station, visit the DEA’s website for the event.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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