Cocoa Police Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs Oct. 28, Service Is Free and Anonymous

By  //  October 27, 2017

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – On Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Cocoa Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft.

Residents can safely eliminate potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs from their homes by bringing the medications for disposal to the east parking lot of the Cocoa Police Department, 1226 W. King St. Needles or other “sharps” will not be accepted.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 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. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

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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—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 28 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or contact the Cocoa Police Department Property and Evidence Division at 321-637-6304.

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