Get rid of your old drugs, find a safe disposal site near you

Why should I get rid of my unused or expired prescription drugs?

Prescription drugs are medications prescribed by health care providers to help treat diseases and relieve pain, but they can be dangerous when they are not used or disposed of in the right way. Taking medication that is not yours, mixing it with alcohol or other drugs can have dangerous consequences and can lead to death. Flushing your medications down the sink or toilet, or throwing in the trash is not a good way to dispose of your medications and will contaminate our water supply and environment. You can help prevent prescription drug abuse and protect our environment by getting rid your old medications in a safe way.  Some more reasons to get rid of your unused prescription drugs:

• ​1 in 20 adults misuse prescription drugs.
• ​1 in 5 teens misuse prescription drugs.
• 70% of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends. 
• 4.7 million Americans are addicted to prescription drugs.
• Drug-overdose deaths are increasing, and reached a high of 47,055 in 2014.

Where can I safety dispose of my prescription drugs?

Bring your old, unused, or expired prescription drugs to an LA County Sheriff's Department safe drug drop-off box 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This Saturday 4/29, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative will provide additional disposal locations from 10am-2pm in addition to safe disposal sites that are available year-round. Find the location nearest to you! 
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​Drop-Off locations open year-round

​     Open Saturday 4/29 (10am-2pm) ONLY

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Every year in LA County, prescription drug misuse is responsible for:

400 deaths

​14,500 hospitalizations

9,000 emergency room visits
​

2,500 addiction treatment
​admissions ​

What is prescription drug misuse?

• Taking more than you should or mixing it with other drugs or alcochol
• Taking the medicine without a prescription
• Taking medication in any way that is different from how it was precribed, or to get "high"

What prescription drugs are commonly abused, and what are the signs?

• Opioids and Pain Relievers: Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Lorcet, Lortab, Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin Signs of abuse: tiredness, slow reflexes, trouble breathing, extreme euphoria, 
• Depressants: Ambien, Librium, Valium, Xanax Signs of abuse: sleepiness, confusion, trouble remembering
• Stimulants: Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin           Signs of abuse: Trouble sleeping, irregular heartbeat, anxiety

What can I do to prevent prescription drug misuse?

1. Never take prescription drugs that were not prescribed to you by your doctor.
2. Use prescription drugs only in the way your doctor instructed. Don't mix or use in combination with alcohol or other drugs.
3. Don't use prescription drugs obtained from illegitimate sources. They can be counterfeit and may contain other substances, such as fentanyl, that can lead to overdose and death.  
4. Keep track of your medication and store in a safe place out of reach from children, teens and pets.
5. Don't flush your medications or throw in the trash. Get rid of your old, unused, or expired drugs at a local LA County Sheriff's station or safe disposal location. 

More information:

DEA Office - Collection Site Search

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

​Safe Med LA

National Institute of Drug Abuse

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration