Rx Take-Back Day in Placer Collects Record 5,700 Pounds of Unused Meds

Published on May 10, 2016

Thanks to new and returning partners, 5,700 pounds of unused medications were collected among the 11 western Placer County locations during the spring Rx Take-Back event April 30.

The amount recovered was 2,100 pounds more than the fall Rx Take-Back.

As event organizer, the Coalition for Placer Youth is dedicated to keeping teens, young children, seniors and the environment free from unused and expired medications. Reducing the availability of prescription opioids is a major goal of the take-back events.

“The most likely reason we had more participation this time around was that the Coalition for Placer Youth was able to increase our community partnerships, illustrating the power of collaboration. Some of our newest members are the new Rx Drug Safety Placer Nevada opioid safety coalition, the Placer County Youth Commission volunteers, the new Coalition for Auburn and Lincoln Youth and our longstanding media partners, law enforcement staff, Kaiser Roseville, Placer County Environmental Services and volunteers that always come through,” said director of the Coalition for Placer Youth, Christina Ivazes. “More partners brought more advertising and promotion while assisting our law enforcement partners with more volunteers, too.”

While residents are free to drop off their unwanted medications at the Western Placer Waste Management Authority facility near Roseville any time, the CPY hopes there will be permanent disposal bins in western Placer County in the near future.