Hi-Desert Medical Center is hosting a drop-off event for unwanted prescription drugs and used sharps/needles. The event takes place Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in front of the Helen Gray Education Center on the hospital campus in Joshua Tree. Every year, thousands of pounds of prescription drugs end up in landfills, posing a danger to the environment. Medicines are a special type of hazardous chemical that we need to keep out of our solid waste system and landfills to prevent harm to people and the environment. The FDA, DEA, EPA, and Office of Drug Control Policy recommend using medicine take-back programs such as this as the best way to dispose of your unwanted medicines. Used sharps/needles are a contamination and health threat if not properly disposed of. Sharps must be brought to the event in a container such as a coffee can; do not bring uncontained sharps to the event. The event is free and no sign up is required.
