Fall Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets Over 700 lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

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, October 29, 2011, and host our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off at 5 locations throughout Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal.

An estimated 737.68 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. Five drop-off sites included Auburndale Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Previous prescription medication collections held in Polk County, FL have resulted in nearly 1,700 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals.

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. For more information, please contact Lisa Jones, StandUP Polk coalition coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off This Saturday!

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, October 29th from 10 am to 2 pm, for citizens who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

Our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off will include 5 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.

Drop-off locations on October 29th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

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

For more information on the local Pill Drop event or locations, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

Healthy Red Ribbon Family Fun Planned for November 5, 2011

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the 20th Annual Red Ribbon Run, the largest youth running event in Polk County, on Saturday morning, November 5, 2011, at Joker Marchant Stadium at Tigertown in Lakeland.

Event registration is FREE for K-5 grade students. Participants who pre-register through their school will receive a FREE Celebrate Drug Free Red Ribbon Run t-shirt. All age groups are welcome. Adults and students in grade 6 and older may compete in the Open Run for a $10.00 registration fee. Registration check-in begins at 7 a.m., with the first race starting at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded and the school with the largest percentage of students in attendance will win a special participation trophy.

Run festivities also include the Kids Health & Wellness Carnival, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to celebrate the benefits of healthy living. Wristbands will be sold for $5.00 admission to enjoy interactive attractions, refreshments and entertainment. To promote healthy minds as well as healthy bodies, each K-5th grade student who participates in the Run and Carnival events will receive a FREE children’s book! Local youth groups and organizations will provide kids’ services, and the Blood Net USA bloodmobile will also be on hand from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested in donating blood, can make an appointment online by visiting: https://www.fbsdonor.org/index.cfm?group=op&hlc=L0576.

For more information on Red Ribbon activities, please call InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777.

Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off - Saturday October 29, 2011

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off will include 5 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag.

Drop-off locations on October 29th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

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

Previous prescription medication collections held in Polk County in spring and fall 2010 and spring 2011 have resulted in nearly 1,700 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals. All medications were safely disposed of via incineration.
For more information on the local Pill Drop event or locations, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.