Ventura County Responds to the Opioid Crisis

Use of Ventura County’s Prescription Drug Disposal Program

Ventura County is actively engaged and committed to preventing Rx/OTC drug misuse and abuse. One of the ways the County works to address the issue locally is by reducing access, especially to teens. VCBH Alcohol and Drug Programs, in collaboration with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, established a countywide Rx disposal program that allows residents to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired Rx medication via secure, confidential disposal bins. 

To measure the public’s use of these disposal bins, respondents were asked if they have ever dropped off their unused or expired Rx drugs at a County drop box. Across respondents, 18% indicated using the County’s disposal bins. Use of the County’s bins was consistent across residents in East and West county. Of note, 73% of Ventura County residents indicated Rx drugs, for uses not as prescribed and/or intended, are “fairly easy” or “very easy” for teenagers to obtain, further supporting the need for an ongoing disposal program to address access concerns. 

Almost 1 in 5 Ventura County residents have dropped off unused or expired Rx drugs at a County disposal bin.

SAFE AND SECURE RX DRUG DISPOSAL

Ventura County is actively engaged and committed to preventing prescription drug misuse and abuse. One of the ways the County works to address the issue locally is by reducing access, especially to teens. The VCSO, in collaboration with Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH), established a countywide Rx disposal program that allows residents to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired Rx medication via secure, confidential disposal bins.

• Recent data continue to support the need for ongoing and expanded availability of Rx drug disposal programs.
• 1 in 5 Ventura County teens have abused prescription drugs.
• Over 50% get them for free from friends and family.
• 73% of Ventura County residents surveyed indicated that prescription drugs, for uses not as prescribed, are “fairly easy” or “very easy” for teenagers to obtain.

Since 2009, over 19 tons of Rx drugs have been collected and destroyed by the Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup partners in the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) announced the annual results of its collection of unused and expired prescription medications for 2017. The agency collected 6,813 pounds over the course of the year, the highest annual total since it began collecting prescription drugs in 2009.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Commit to safely disposing of your prescription drugs
• Get the facts on Rx & OTC drug abuse
• Dispel the myth that Rx drugs are safe to abuse
• Know the signs and symptoms of drug use
• Monitor and secure all medications 

For more local resources including a list of safe disposal sites, information about safe prescribing, preventing overdose, and getting help for addiction, visit https://venturacountyresponds.org/en/