Operation Medicine Cabinet

Santa Barbara- October 5th, 2009

Pharmaceutical Drug Collection and Disposal Program Kicks off This Week

A campaign to stem youth abuse of pharmaceuticals, reduce drug induced medical emergencies while helping to keep our water supply free of pollution is this week in Santa Barbara.  “Operation Medicine Cabinet” an unused and expired pharmaceutical drug collection and disposal program, administrated by the Sheriff’s Department countywide, will feature several collection events during October and November.  The events will be followed in November by the placement of locked and secure drop boxes for ongoing drug disposals at Sheriff Substations throughout the County. 

Currently there are only a few places for collection of household medical wastes especially for controlled substances in our county.  Some areas of the county have no drop off sites at all.  By law, controlled substances, which are medications such as Vicodin®, Hyrocodone,® Ritalin®  and other like drugs may only be possessed by the prescriptive owner and a sworn deputy or law enforcement officer.  This makes proper disposal difficult and confusing for many. 

The Sheriff’s Department has been working with Public Works, The County Resource Recovery Waste Management Board and area cities to bring to Santa Barbara this drug waste program which has been successfully used by law enforcement agencies statewide.  “Operation Medicine Cabinet” has been shown in other counties to help meet the community need to remove dangerous drugs from households, reduce misuse and the potential for drugs to end up in the water supply.

According to an analysis of recent trends by the National Drug Control Office, “Next to marijuana, the most common illegal drugs teens are using to get high are prescription medications.”   When asked why, teens responded with a common myth, that they believe the use of prescription drugs is safer and more responsible than using street drugs. 

Where do teens find these drugs?  Nearly half report they get them from a relative, a parent or grandparent, right out of the medicine cabinet. 

Expired mediations are the cause of many medical emergencies for other age groups too, especially seniors. One of the most common causes of poisoning among seniors is accidental medication overdose. Statistics show that while adults over 65 years of age represent only 13 percent of the total population, they consume more than 30 percent of all prescribed medications and 40 percent of all over-the-counter medications. Another report shows that accidental overdoses are up nearly 5 times over the last 10 years, with nearly all poisoning deaths in the country are attributable to drugs, especially prescription drugs.  “That’s why it’s important to remove all unused medications right away” says, Pamela Relyea, Public Information Assistant and Crime Prevention Specialist for Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.  “Removing the medication reduces easy access to medications for misuse, increases awareness and the ability to keep track of current medications.”

In addition to drug abuse, there’s confusion about how and where to dispose of medications.  Flushing drugs down the drain is not recommended because we now know it can lead to water pollution.   It’s also best not to throw it in the landfill unless precaution steps are taken to avoid leaching or mistakenly consumed by someone’s pet.  One such method requires mixing drugs in kitty litter then wrapping the bottles in duct tape prior to disposal.   So, many old and unused medications accumulate in our homes. Operation Medicine Cabinet requires no such measures and provides a method of safe disposal.

Funded by the Waste Management Division of the County Public Health Department and the Sheriff’s Department, “Operation Medicine Cabinet” is generously supported by the cities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Goleta, Solvang, Lompoc and Santa Maria. 

Operation Medicine Cabinet Collection events begin early in October.  The first “kick off” will be held at Senior Expo, October 8, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Earl Warren Showground parking lot.    Operation Medicine Cabinet is offered as a free community service for people of all ages who are encouraged to bring unwanted medicines for disposal without being required to visit the Expo or pay a parking fee.  

The dates and times of all collection events are:

Santa Barbara         Oct.   8, 2009       9:00 am–1:00 pm   Earl Warren during “Senior Expo”
Carpinteria               Oct. 24, 2009       9:00 am–3:00 pm   Sheriff’s Substation
Orcutt                        Nov.  5, 2009       Noon-6:00 pm             CVS (Clark & Bradley) Parking
Goleta                       Nov.  7, 2009       9:00 am–3:00 pm     Goleta Police, 7042 Marketplace
Lompoc                    Nov. 12, 2009   Noon-6:00 pm        Vons Parking Lot (North “H” St)
Santa Maria             Nov. 14, 2009   9:00 am–3:00 pm      Wells Fargo (Broadway) Parking
Santa Ynez             Nov. 17, 2009      Noon-7:00 pm             Mission Santa Ynes Parking Lot

Please leave medications in original or sealed containers.  

Secured lock boxes will be in place in November for disposal at Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Substations.    For locations or more information please visit the www.sbsheriff.org or www.LessisMore.org. 

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For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org