Federal officials say they will destroy all of the medications collected from last Saturday's prescription drug take-back day in San Diego, but they are offering few specifics.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says San Diegans dropped off more than two-and-a-half tons of prescription drugs last Saturday. The drugs were collected at two dozen locations in the county.
DEA spokeswoman Amy Roderick said the medications will be incinerated. She wouldn't say where -- or when.
"I really can't just due to the security, and the security we want to maintain on it. But it is done all according to the regulations," said Roderick.
Roderick said the impetus for the take-back day is the growing problem of prescription drug abuse.
She conceded the problem can't be solved in one day.
"It has to be more than a one-shot solution," Roderick said. "We want people to be able to get rid of this stuff as soon as they are done taking their medications."
To that end, the Sheriff's Department has installed nearly two dozen permanent drug collection boxes at sheriff's stations countywide. Similar boxes are available at three San Diego Police stations, located in the Northwest, Eastern, and South Eastern divisions.
