Fall 2013 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,023.8 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 October 26, 2013, and host our
community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off for citizens to turn in unused,
expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications.
An estimated 1,023.8 pounds of recovered
pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. Drop-off sites included Auburndale Police Department, Haines City
Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department,
and Lakeland Police Department. The Lake Wales location alone collected 199.8
lbs.
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.
This latest
event brings the total for prescription medication collections held in Polk
County to 5,423 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010. All medications were safely disposed of
via incineration.
Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop
site locations at Police Departments in Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Alfred,
Lakeland and Winter Haven.
Medications may also be safely disposed of at home
by dissolving them in water, mixing with coffee grounds or cat litter, pouring
into a zip lock bag, and disposing in the trash. To avoid harming lakes and
ground water, please do not dump medications into the toilet.
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 StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.