StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 30, 2011, and host our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off at 11 locations in Hardee and Polk Counties in Central Florida for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal.
An estimated 1,022.4 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. Drop-off sites hosted by participating partners included Auburndale Police Department, City of Zolfo Springs Sheriff Substation, Davenport Police Department, Florida Dept. of Transportation hosted by the Bartow Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Winter Haven Police Department, and Wauchula Police Department.
For those unable to make it on April 30th, Home Instead Senior Care and Hawthorne Inn of Lakeland also served as collection sites on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Two countywide prescription medication collections held previously in Polk County, FL in spring and fall 2010 resulted in an estimated 650 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals. StandUP Polk partners plan to host future pill drop events and hope to establish a permanent pill drop off venue in the county soon to assist residents in proper disposal of unused prescription medications in an environmentally safe manner, and help decrease the availability of expired or unwanted medications to reduce prescription drugs 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.
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