DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 22, 2023

 

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national and community partners for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 22, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, for citizens to dispose of unwanted and expired medications safely and anonymously. 

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from the home medicine cabinets of family and friends. Take Back Day provides a chance to clean out and get rid of unneeded medication to help prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.

Our community’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day will include 9 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in Human and Pet Medications in liquid and solid form, vitamins, and syringes for proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear, air-tight plastic bag. 

Drop-off locations from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza    
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Ave.
Davenport Police Department – 16 Bay Street West
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Ave. 
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 N. Seminole Ave.
Lake Hamilton Police Department – 100 Smith Ave. 
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 E. Tillman Ave. 
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW

 

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites, funded by GiveWell Community Foundation, at the Police Department locations in: Auburndale (weekdays 8-5); Haines City (weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (weekdays 8-5).  Only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes (no liquids or syringes). To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dispose of medication in the toilet.

 

Previous medication collections held in Polk County since 2010 have resulted in 26,564.5 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals safely disposed of via incineration. 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 on the local Prescription Drug Take-Back event, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.