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Public Safety

Sheriff Warns Of Prescription Drug Scam

Sheriff Bill Gore warned today about a scam in San Diego County regarding the collection of prescription drugs.

An official "Prescription Take Back Day" is planned for Saturday, according to the sheriff's department. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., those with unused prescription drugs can drop them off at six locations around the county.

"Scammers have targeted some residents telling them if they area unable to make it to one of these locations their drugs can be left on the front porch and someone will come by to pick them up. That is simply not true," Gore said.

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The Board of Supervisors is working on a ordinance to place permanent prescription drop boxes at sheriff"s stations around San Diego County. Gore said those unable to make it to a drop-off site Saturday, should hold onto their prescriptions until the permanent boxes are in place.

According to the county's Oxy Task Force -- a multi-agency effort that includes the sheriff's department -- parents frequently unknowingly supply dangerous drugs to their children by leaving unused prescriptions in their medicine chests.

The task force was formed to combat OxyContin use among young people. Other prescription drugs often used for recreation include Vicodin, Adderall, Soma, Xanax, Ambien, codeine, methadone and fentanyl.

Saturday's drop-off sites will be at the county's administration center on Pacific Highway, Tri-City Medical Center, Poway sheriff's substation, Scripps Memorial Hospital, and the El Cajon and South Bay courthouses.riff

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