Lake Elsinore 'Take-Back' Aims To Prevent Drug Abuse

Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and residents of surrounding unincorporated areas can help ensure unwanted prescription drugs don’t fall into the wrong hands or harm the local water system.

On Saturday Oct. 29, the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, is taking part in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Anyone can drop off potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs at the station – no questions asked, said station Captain Dave Fontneau.

The captain explained the program allows residents to get medications properly disposed of.

“Many of us have unused prescription medications we need to get rid of,” he said. “This program offers a safe way to do that.”

Studies show prescription drugs are increasingly being abused by minors, Captain Fontneau said, noting that individuals who abuse prescription drugs often get them from family and friends, and from their home medicine cabinets.

He also pointed out that water districts have warned for years that flushing unwanted meds down the toilet or washing them down the drain taints water systems.  

Riverside County residents disposed of 531 pounds of unwanted and outdated prescription drugs in 2010, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. In April this year, another “Take-Back” event yielded 1,262 pounds of prescription drugs countywide.

The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station is located at 333 Limited Avenue. For more information about the program, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback or call the Lake Elsinore Station at (951) 245-3300.