Fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Nets Nearly 600 lbs. of Medications

 

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back for Polk County residents to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication, as well as vitamins, syringes, E-cig devices, and JUULs for proper disposal. 

On October 29, 2022, the Davenport Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Hamilton Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department collected 596.7 pounds of pharmaceuticals to be safely disposed of via incineration. The latest event brings the total for collections held in Polk County to 26,564.5 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010.    

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites, funded by the Givewell Community Foundation in Lakeland, at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (100 Smith Avenue, weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-5).  Note: only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes – no liquids or syringes. Medication should not be flushed to avoid harming lakes and ground water. 

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.