This week, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and I urged Floridians to help us fight the opioid crisis by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.
Tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Floridians can safely dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medications at a local drop-off location. National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual event hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration every April and October.
Nationally, more than 112,000 people died from drug overdose in 2023. According to the 2022 Florida Department of Law Enforcement Medical Examiners Annual Report, Florida lost more than 8,000 to opioid-related overdoses.
While illicit fentanyl is the main cause of these deaths, prescription medication found discarded in a friend or family member’s medicine cabinet can often feed a fatal addiction. By participating in Drug Take Back Day, Floridians can be part of the solution by safely disposing of expired or unwanted medications.
To find a drop-off location and to learn more about National Drug Take Back Day, visit DEA.gov/TakeBackDay. You can find year-round drop-off locations to dispose of unwanted medications at DoseOfRealityFL.com.
By fighting the opioid crisis, and helping those with addiction, we are building a Stronger, Safer Florida.
