Prescription Drug Summit & Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off Events

1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit & Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off

presented by InnerAct Alliance and Members of StandUP Polk, Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, are proud to present the 1st Annual Prescription Drug Summit on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 7:30 AM, at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland, to raise awareness about the alarming trend of abuse of prescription drugs and how it affects Polk County schools, businesses and families. The Keynote Speaker will be Sharon Kelley, MS, PMD, and CEO of Alliance for Global Narcotics Training, who will address attendees from 7:30 - 9:00 AM. Solution-planning group sessions led by Ms. Kelley and local experts in the field will take place from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. The first 100 registrants to RSVP to InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 will receive free breakfast at 7:00 AM.

StandUP Polk and its partners in The Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk are also planning a second Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off event in conjunction with the DEA's National Take Back Initiative on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for citizens to turn in unused, expired or unwanted Human and Pet Medication for safe and proper disposal. The first countywide medication collection held on March 20, 2010 resulted in an estimated 245.5 lbs. of recovered pharmaceuticals.

Locations for the Pill Drop off are:

Auburndale Police Department - 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL

Florida Department of Transportation - 801 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL (hosted by Bartow PoliceDept.)

Haines City Police Department - 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL

Lake Alfred Police Department - 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL

Lakeland Police Department - 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL

Winter Haven Police Department - 125 North Lake Silver Drive, NW, Winter Haven, FL

All medications should be secured in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag.

With an average of 7 Rx drug-related deaths in Florida each day, the intentional abuse of prescription drugs to alter brain activity is quickly becoming an epidemic! This alarming trend is especially prevalent in teenagers. Over 70% of young people age 12 & older who abuse prescription painkillers get them free from the homes of family or friends. Preventing youth from gaining access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs is one way to prevent and stop this epidemic. Clean out medicine cabinets regularly and properly dispose of any old and unused medication to alleviate the potential danger that can be found within the confines of our homes. Parents also need to talk with their children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County. All are welcome to join this new initiative and take part in monthly planning sessions. Key support for the Prescription Drug Summit has been provided by: Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A., Watson Clinic Foundation, Inc., and the Lakeland Police Department.

For information, please call Angie Ellison at InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.