CHICO, California – Saturday is National Prescription Medicine Day, an important initiative aimed at promoting the safe and responsible disposal of unused or expired medicines. The event encourages individuals to return their unwanted prescription drugs to designated collection points, preventing potential misuse and protecting our environment.
“We want to help people as they try to find treatment and stay clean, and part of that is making sure unused or unwanted medications don’t find their way into the public,” said Bryce Davison, lieutenant for the Chico State Police .
The event involves a variety of substances, such as pills, liquids and sharp objects, all of which can pose risks if not handled properly.
Chico State actively participated and expanded its delivery service to the Butte County community. This effort not only helps keep medications out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, but also promotes a healthier environment by preventing harmful medications from contaminating our water supply or ending up in landfills.
“We see a lot of Chico community members coming to participate. I think we are all part of the same groups in the same area, and we are trying to achieve the same goals: to prevent drugs and medicines from falling into the wrong hands,” said Davison.
The Take Back initiative aims to address the alarming rise in overdoses across the country. In Butte County alone, 80 residents will tragically succumb to opioid-related deaths in 2023, according to research conducted by the California Department of Healthhighlighting the urgent need for action to combat this public health crisis.
The Chico State drop-off event is a crucial step in the fight against the overdose epidemic in the Northstate.
“It’s something you have in your closet and forget about, and again, it could fall into the wrong hands, but we also don’t want kids to have access to it. Once a medication has expired, it may no longer be useful. It just makes sense to get rid of unused and unwanted medications to keep the community safe,” Davison concluded.
For year-round prescription dispensing locations in Butte County, click here.
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