21 locations used to drop off unused drugs

Drop-off locations for unwanted, unused prescription medications were available across the county Saturday during the 24th bi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants were able to make anonymous drop-offs of unneeded medications at 21 locations throughout San Diego County, Drug Enforcement Administration officials said.

The locations were at police and sheriff’s stations throughout the county, as well as some military hospitals.

There are also several drop-off boxes available around the county yearround, mostly at pharmacies and health care offices.

Experts say many opioid addictions start with prescription pills found at home.

According to a 2017 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a majority of people who use prescription medications for nonmedical purposes obtained that medication from a family member or friend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, more than 107,700 American lives were lost to drug poisoning between August 2021 and August 2022. Nearly 900 people died from accidental opioid overdoses in San Diego County in 2021, a 55 percent increase over 2020, according to county data.

“Every day, the men and women of the DEA work to protect Americans from deadly drugs and drug poisonings,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, in a news release. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is one of the ways we can help prevent addiction and deaths from opioids.”

The event wasn’t limited to pills. Participants were able to turn in capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs, as well as veterinary medications and vaping devices if the batteries have been removed, DEA officials said.

In 2021, the most recent year statistics are available, Take Back events netted more than 13,000 pounds of prescription drugs throughout San Diego County, federal officials said.