On September 26, 2015, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the Manhattan Beach Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the National Association of School Resource Officers are partnering to give our community another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Medications will be accepted for disposal at the South lobby of the Manhattan Beach Police Department (400 block of 13th Street, Manhattan Beach) and the service is free, anonymous and no questions asked.

The 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

In the previous nine Take-Back events (2010-2014) nationwide, 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons, of drugs were collected.  In addition to the bi-annual DEA Take Back event, the Manhattan Beach Police Department also offers 24/7 medication drop-off in a secure collection bin, which is located in the front lobby of the Police Department.  As a result of both the September 2014 DEA Take Back event and the MBPD’s collection bin, over 767 pounds of unwanted or expired medications were collected and turned over to the DEA for destruction.

Illicit substances and used/new hypodermic needles are not a part of this program and will not be accepted.