Friday, December 4, 2015

Over 1,100 Pounds of Prescription Drugs Collected in Polk County at 10th Annual DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day


Over 1,100 Pounds of Prescription Drugs Collected in Polk County
at 10th Annual DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day 

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on September 26, 2015 for citizens to dispose of unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications. 

A total of 1,125.8 pounds of prescription drugs were turned in by Polk County residents at the 2015 event. Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in over 6,500 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern because they are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft, misuse, and abuse. Almost twice as many Americans (6.8 million) currently abuse prescription drugs than the number using cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Participating locations in our community’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day were Auburndale Police Department, Haines City Police Department (pictured above), Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

Polk County also has Permanent Medication Drop Boxes at the following locations:
Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL (Weekdays, 8am–5pm)
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL (Weekdays, 8am–5pm)
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 North Seminole Ave., Lake Alfred, FL (24 hours/7 days)
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL (24 hours/7 days)
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Drive, WH, FL (Weekdays, 8am–5pm)

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