The Board of Supervisors will consider authorizing the installation of nearly two dozen prescription drug collection containers at sheriff's facilities around San Diego County in an effort to prevent the abuse of legal medications, it was announced today.
The proposed ordinance is backed by the county's Oxy Task Force, a multi-agency organization created to fight OxyContin and prescription drug abuse.
"Cutting off the drug supply at home reduces the drug supply on the streets," Sheriff Bill Gore said. "Some of these drugs have a very high street value. This ordinance offers a proactive approach to help law enforcement fight drug-related crime in the county."
According to Pam Slater-Price, who chairs the Board of Supervisors, the ordinance will be considered on April 27.
In a related effort to stop prescription drug abuse, the Oxy Task Force will hold a "Prescription Drug Take Back Day" event Saturday at six locations around the county where residents can drop off unused medicines with no questions asked.
During a similar event last October, the task force collected about 322 pounds of medications that will be destroyed.
"Those drugs could have easily fallen into the wrong hands and led to abuse, addiction or worse -- death," Slater-Price said. "One thing became incredibly clear: a permanent, safe solution to dispose of prescription drugs must be found for San Diego County."
