Fall 2013 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,023.8 LBS. of Pharmaceuticals

      

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.