Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, encourages community members to participate in the 12th “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” event on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the medical center.

This program provides local residents with an opportunity to safely and easily dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines. A pharmacist will also be available for consultation and there will be a free drive-thru drop-off service for unused, unwanted medications.

“Events like this address a crucial public safety and public health concern," says Sunny Lee, area pharmacy director at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center.

"It’s also an important opportunity to educate the public about the dangers of expired, unwanted, or unused medications, particularly when they are not properly destroyed. It has historically been quite a successful program for us, and one that is open to members and the community.”

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 100 people die from drug overdoses involving prescription painkillers every day in the United States.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Kaiser Permanente medical centers throughout Southern California will serve as drop sites for disposal of expired, unwanted, and unused medicines. The service is free, easy, and anonymous.

If residents are unable to participate on October 22 they can also purchase “mail back” postage-paid envelopes available at Kaiser Permanente and many other pharmacies.

Drop-off information:

Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center

Northeast Parking Lot #3

6041 Cadillac Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90034