2nd Countywide Purge Your Pills Drop Off Nets Over 400 lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

The second countywide prescription medication collection by StandUP Polk and its partners in the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk was a great success! The event, held in conjunction with the DEA's National Pill Take Back Initiative on Saturday, September 25, 2010, resulted in a estimated 400 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals. An earlier pill collection held by the coalition in March 2010 brought in 245.5 pounds of medication.

Over 300 people brought human and pet medications to drop-off sites throughout the county including Auburndale Police Department; Florida Department of Transportation (hosted by Bartow Police Department), Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter haven Police Department. All medications have been safely disposed of via incineration.

The coalition partners recognize the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and planned this event for two important reasons - to help Polk County residents properly dispose of old and unused prescription medications in an environmentally safe manner that will not be harmful to the aquifer or ground water, and to help reduce prescription drug abuse by decreasing the availability of expired or unwanted medications. The coalition is planning future pill drop events and discussing permanent pill drop off venues in the county.

Prescription medication has become one of the fastest-growing abused drugs of adults and especially teens, who report finding painkillers, stimulants, depressants, and other medications to abuse right in their own family medicine cabinet. Preventing youth from gaining access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs is one way to prevent and stop this epidemic. Parents should also 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, law enforcement, 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 important initative and take part in monthly meetings. Key support for the Rx Pill Drop event has been provided by: Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Florida Department of Transportation, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Waste Resource Management, and Winter Haven Police Department. For more information, please call Angie Ellison at InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.