Permanent Drop Sites for Prescription Drugs Now Available in Polk County

Unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs present dangerous risks to our community when they fall into the wrong hands, and they may potentially damage our environment through improper disposal. Prescription drug take back events, sponsored by StandUP Polk Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk and local law enforcement agencies in Polk County, have resulted in collection and safe and proper disposal of 3,000 pounds of unwanted medication turned in by the public over the past two years.

The partnership is pleased to announce the establishment of 4 permanent secure collection drop-boxes at the following police department locations for citizens to turn in unwanted human and pet medication year-round:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL (weekdays, 8 am-5pm)

Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL (24 hours/7 days)

Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL (24 hours/7 days)

Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW, Winter Haven, FL (weekdays, 8am – 6pm)

"Citizens can just come to any of these locations to drop off their prescription drugs anonymously,” said Lt. Keva Harris of Haines City Police Department, who serves as the Coalition’s law enforcement task force chairperson. “We appreciate the community's help in keeping dangerous medication off the street."

Medication must be deposited in a sealed container. No loose pills, liquid medication, or contraband will be collected at the permanent sites.

“With 1,300 pounds of medication collected at the Spring 2012 Pill Drop event, the need for secure sites to provide safe collection on more regular basis became even more apparent. We would like to thank the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland for assisting with the purchase of these permanent drop boxes for Polk County,” said Angie Ellison, executive director of InnerAct Alliance, a partner in the StandUP Polk Coalition.

Our community’s first Fall Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off will take place on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, from 10 am to 1 pm, at Everest University’s Lakeland Campus, located at 995 East Memorial Blvd., Suite 110. For info, call (863) 274-7008.

Then on Saturday, September 29, 2012, StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies will join the Drug Enforcement Administration for the national Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, from 10 am to 2 pm, for citizens to turn in unused or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal, at 6 locations in Polk County: Auburndale Police Dept. 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale; Haines City Police Dept. 35400 Highway 27, Haines City; Lake Alfred Police Dept. 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred; Lake Wales Police Dept. 133 East Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales; Lakeland Police Dept. 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland; Winter Haven Police Dept. 125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven.

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 A. Jones, StandUP Polk coalition coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.