The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orange County Safe Kids Coalition are hosting an event to help prevent medication from falling into the wrong hands or causing unnecessary harm.

The two groups announced they are holding a drive-thru prescription drug take-back event on Tuesday, March 22. From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., sheriff’s staff and members of Safe Kids Orange will be on hand in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office parking lot to collect medication that is expired, unwanted or does not have a simple disposal.

With this week being National Poison Prevention Week, Lieutenant Daniel Roberson of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Support Services Division said it is the perfect time to make a concerted effort to get rid of drugs that are not needed.

“We might initially think of chemicals and pesticides when we hear the word ‘poison,'” Roberson said in a release from the sheriff’s office, “but we should also think about the dangers of the surplus medications most of us have in our homes.”

The Orange County Safe Kids Coalition is a nonprofit dedicated to keeping children safe — and that includes from prescription or over-the-counter medication. The group, as well as the sheriff’s office, aim to inform the public about the frequency and potential for kids to consume drugs left out or around homes. Safe Kids Orange recommends people keep only current, necessary medications at home and to do so in a secure or locked location.

“We encourage everyone to make it a yearly ritual to purge excess medication from their homes during spring cleaning,” said Safe Kids Orange coordinator Anna Stormzand. “Collect expired or excess medication, including medicines for pets, old vitamins, and any over-the-counter supplements you are no longer using and bring them to the Sheriff’s Office.”

Tuesday’s take-back event, which is also called a med drop, is free to any community member and is a “no-questions asked opportunity to safely dispose of medications,” according to the sheriff’s office.

“We will be outside by the flagpole in front of our office next Tuesday,” Roberson said. “Pull up, hand us your medicines, and drive away with our thanks. You don’t even have to get out of your vehicle. ”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is located at 106 East Margaret Lane in Hillsborough. The office also offers an additional drop box inside its office lobby, which is available to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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