Culver City Observer -

Permanente West Los Angeles, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, are encouraging community members to participate in our 16th "National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day" on Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles will serve as one of the drop-off locations, and the public will have the opportunity to drive up to the 24-hour pharmacy turnaround at the medical center, to drop off unwanted, unused or expired medications. A pharmacist will also be on hand to answer any questions individuals may have about the medications that they have.

"At Kaiser Permanente we remain actively involved in the total health of our Southern California community, and we feel it's our responsibility to educate the community about the importance of responsibly disposing prescription drugs, while also raising awareness of the significant harm that comes from abuse of medications, "said Alan Kiyohara, vice president, Pharmacy Operations and Services for Kaiser Permanente Southern California. "Studies have shown that medicines that remain in the home are highly susceptible to misuse."

Prescription drug take-back programs address vital public safety and public health issues while providing residents with a convenient and anonymous way to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more people started down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs, and each year higher amounts of opioids are being turned in at the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.

People unable to participate on October 27 can properly dispose of medications at drug disposal kiosks in the 24-hour pharmacy during regular service hours.