MAP SHOWS HOW TO GET RID OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE

Resource connects people to safe, free disposal locations

The biannual Prescription Drug Take Back Day event happened Saturday, but that’s not the only time people can drop off unwanted or unused prescription medication.

Plenty of safe and free disposal sites are open across the county yearround, and a new interactive map can help you find them.

The resource is designed to encourage people to clear their homes of prescription drugs that could be abused. County officials say many people who misuse prescriptions find the medicine at home or get it from family and friends.

“The safe disposal map is needed now, more than ever,” said Dr. Nicole Esposito, the county’s chief population health officer, in a statement. “In 2020, there were 576 unintentional prescription-related deaths in our county, more than twice as many deaths in 2019 before the pandemic.”

In addition to drop-off locations, the map includes information about opioid treatment centers.

Dr. Joe Sepulveda, medical director of Family Health Care Services of San Diego, says only about 10 percent of people suffering from a substance use disorder receive any type of treatment.

Substance use disorder is a chronic medical condition that, like many other conditions, responds well to treatment, Sepulveda said. Getting the right kind of help is especially important as deaths from dangerous drugs like fentanyl are on the rise, he added.

According to the county Medical Examiner’s Office, fentanyl-caused deaths increased 1,300 percent between 2016 and 2020.

Anyone with questions about opioid treatment programs can call 211 or the county Access and Crisis line at (888) 724-7240. The line is available 24 hours a day. The new interactive map can be found at sdpdatf.org.