Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital now offers a safe and secure unused prescription drug collection program for the community to properly dispose of dangerous pharmaceuticals.

The Prescription Drug Take-Back program seeks to curtail improper disposal and accidental ingestion of medications in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Joelle Beigel, public relations representative for Henry Mayo NewHall Hospital, discussed with KHTS the purpose for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program.

“We wanted to do our part for the community,” said Beigel, “to provide a safe place for people to dispose of left-over pharmaceutical drugs, and so that we could help the the environment, as well as the community.”

Related:‘Safe Drug Drop-Off’ Program Suspended At Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station

Improper disposal of unused medications today takes many forms, from flushing down the toilet or pouring in the drain, to throwing in the garbage or worse, officials said.

Incorrect disposal of medications pose a threat to our environment by leaving drug residue in our water, or if placed in the garbage, can lead to drugs being abused by others.

The announcement comes on the heels of the DEA’s (Drug Enforcement Agency) nationwide program, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Oct. 28 2017

Related: Over 100 Pounds Of Drugs Collected At Henry Mayo For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

More than 6 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs, based on a 2015 National Survey on drug use and health, according to the DEA website.

Information provided by Henry Mayo Hospital:

•         40 million Americans in major metropolitan areas have pharmaceutical chemicals and hormones in their drinking water.
•         71,000 children are seen in emergency departments every year due to accidental ingestion of medications.
•         Everyday 2,500 teens abuse prescription pain relievers for the first time.
•         16,000 people die every year from heroin and cocaine; 22,000 die from prescription drugs.

Many people are unaware of drug take-back options, and those that are often don’t know where to find a collection receptacle in their community.  

The collection receptacle is located in the main lobby of the hospital, and offers the opportunity for anyone to deposit unused prescription medicines there seven days a week, during hospital visiting hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

ABOUT HENRY MAYO – Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is a 238- bed not-for-profit acute care hospital serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. Henry Mayo is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and a STEMI Receiving Center. The hospital features state-of-the-art inpatient facilities, a neonatal intensive care unit, catheterization lab, infusion center, breast imaging center and an outpatient surgery center. Additional services include cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, intensive care, neonatal intensive care, maternity, surgery, nursing, wound care, spine and joint, behavioral health, and acute rehab, as well as cancer, imaging, lab, digestive, respiratory services and physical and occupational therapies. Currently under construction is a new patient tower that will provide up to 142 additional patient beds.  It’s scheduled to be open for public use in 2019.  Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visitwww.henrymayo.com or call (661) 200-2000.

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