DOWNEY - The Downey Police Department will be collecting unused and unwanted prescription drugs during a take-back event Oct. 26 in the civic center.The event is co-sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency, which provides the collection boxes and is responsible for the proper disposal of discarded drugs. All drugs turned in at the event will be incinerated. The event offers residents an opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous drugs and minimize the potential for misuse and abuse. Brochures will be distributed that explain the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Residents can also drop off over-the-counter medications but sharps and needles will not be accepted. Prescription drugs discarded into the sewer system may pose environmental problems for the ocean and potable water supply, officials said. Water treatment plants are capable of filtering out nearly all impurities but traces of prescription drugs have been found even after filtration. Recycled water from filtration plants is sent to settling basins to re-charge the ground water basins, used for landscape irrigation or released to storm drains that flow to the ocean. Before these collections were held, city officials said there was no legal way to transfer prescription drugs for disposal. The collection is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the police department's west parking lot. It will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact Jane Guzman at (562) 904-2374 or jguzman@downeyca.org.

********** Published: Oct. 17, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 27