medicine arial,sans-serif;”>The Simi Valley Police Department hosted a Prescription Drug Drop-Off event on November 14, 2015. This event marked the Simi Valley Police Department’s 4th Anniversary providing this important drug prevention program. Including the November 14th event that brought in over 200 pounds of unused prescription drugs, the Police Department has helped to remove over 6,500 pounds of prescription medication from the streets of Simi Valley and away from narcotic abusers over the past four years. To help put the amount in better perspective, the amount of prescription medication that has been safely removed from our streets equals the same amount of weight as two adult Asian Elephants. This one-day event was designed to encourage and educate the public on how to properly dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused potentially dangerous prescription drugs and other medications from their homes and our community and was a huge success.

In an ongoing effort to provide a safe and ecologically friendly way for Simi Valley residents to dispose of old and unwanted medications, a permanent Rx Drop Box was installed in the front lobby of the Simi Valley Police Station in October 2011. The Rx Drop Box is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Prescription Drug Drop-Off is the result of the growing issue of unused and unneeded medications becoming the target of theft, misuse, and abuse. America’s youth (12 to 17 years) have made prescription drugs the number one substance of abuse for their age group. The medication supply often and unknowingly comes from the medicine cabinets of their parents, grandparents, and friends. The Prescription Drug Drop-Off event will provide those who have accumulated unused and unwanted prescription drugs a great opportunity to safely dispose of them and remove them from their homes.

Photo: Simi Valley PD