City Offers to Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs

From the City of Temple Terrace:

The and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) are teaming up to prevent pill abuse and theft by giving residents a way to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Area residents can take their unwanted or unneeded prescription drugs to the Temple Terrace Police Department on April 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for disposal. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. 

During the third National Take-Back Day last October, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds—188.5 tons—of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,000 state and local law-enforcement partners. In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost one million pounds—nearly 500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, officials say. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Due to volume limitations, the National Take-Back Day initiative is limited to residential medication disposal only. Businesses and other commercial entities needing to dispose of medications are encouraged to contact a licensed vendor capable of providing commercial disposal services. No needles or sharps will be accepted. For more information about this event, contact Temple Terrace Police Officer Karen Walter at 813-506-6551 or kwalter@templeterrace.com.

Other agencies/locations taking back prescription drugs April 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. include:

• Drug Enforcement Administration,
• Tampa Police Department, Sweetbay Supermarket, 2525 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Sweetbay Supermarket, 2535 State Road 60 East, Valrico