Have old, unwanted pills? Police will dispose of them

On Saturday, Sept. 25, Irvine police will be accepting expired, unwanted or unneeded medicine from the public as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., police will accept them in the police department parking lot at One Civic Center Plaza. All the medicines turned in will be given to the Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposal.

Hypodermic needles will not be accepted.

According to the DEA, prescription medicines that sit unused in home medicine cabinets have a greater chance of being misused and abused. Though disposing of them in quick, convenient ways like flushing them down the toilet can actually be bad for the environment, police said.

If you have questions about the program, call Irvine police Sgt. Dennis Maisano at (949) 724-7023.

Joseph Serna