FONTANA, CA, October 21, 2013 — Kaiser Permanente Southern California, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies, is encouraging residents to participate in the seventh “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” on Saturday, October 26, 2013, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Prescription drug take-back programs provide local residents with an opportunity to safely and easily dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines.

The Fontana and Ontario Medical Centers will host collection sites at the following locations:

Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center

17197 Marygold Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335

Collection site is in the parking lot directly in front of MOB4

Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center

2295 S. Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761

Collection site will be located in the southwest parking lot off Vineyard Ave., in front of building B

“The DEA’s ‘Prescription Drug Take-Back Day’ program is part of the broader White House prescription drug abuse prevention strategy,” said Paula Barton, vice president, National Pharmacy Compliance, National Pharmacy Programs and Services, Kaiser Permanente. “Events like this not only address a crucial public safety and public health issue, but they also bring awareness and serve as an educational opportunity.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from the use of prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade.  Nearly 15,000 people die every year of overdoses involving prescription painkillers.  By properly storing and disposing of prescription medication, we can reduce the number of people who misuse, abuse or overdose from these powerful drugs.

“This program has been a tremendous success,” said Alan Kiyohara, vice president, Pharmacy Operations and Services, Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “Just this past spring, our Southern California facilities collected over 3,300 pounds of expired or unwanted medicines. By properly disposing of prescription drugs, we eliminate expired or unwanted medication that can otherwise pose a hazard to the safety of children, families, local communities, and the environment.”

Local residents may drop off expired, unwanted, and unused medicines. The service is free, easy, and anonymous.

For more information about “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” or for a list of additional collection sites, please visit dea.gov. Information about medication safety is also available on the DEA website or at kp.org.