PREVENT DRUG ABUSE: West Melbourne Police To Host Drug ‘Take Back’ Event April 27
By Space Coast Daily // April 25, 2019
'Take Back' service is free and anonymous
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The West Melbourne Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring your pills for disposal to the West Melbourne Police Department, located at 2290 Minton Road. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last October, Americans turned in nearly 460 tons of prescription drugs at almost 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.
Overall, in its 16 previous “Take Back” events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 11 million pounds— more than 5,500 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.
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. 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.
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