Today is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Southland residents can get rid of unwanted or outdated prescription drugs today by dropping them off at designated collection sites during the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., drop-off sites will be open throughout the region, operated by police departments and other agencies. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the "Got Drugs?" icon and following the links to a database, where they enter their zip code.

During previous Drug Take-Back events, Los Angeles-area residents have turned in thousands of pounds of medicines.

According to the DEA, medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and abuse.

The agency noted that rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high -- with more Americans abusing prescription drugs than cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet, the DEA reported.

Places where Monrovia residents can drop off their unwanted medications include the following:

• Los Angeles County Sheriff's Temple City Station -
  8838 E. Las Tunas Drive
• 1011 Baldwin Park Boulevard, Baldwin Park
• Pasadena Police Department - in front of lobby 207 Garfield Ave.
•  Glendora Police Department - 150 S. Glendora Ave. 
• Glendale Police Department RITE AID - 647 Foothill Boulevard, La Canada Flintridge.