April 29 is National Drug Take-Back Day, and local law enforcement agencies are celebrating by hosting events for community members to drop off unwanted prescriptions.
The Ormond Beach, Ocala and DeLand police departments and Osceola County Sheriff’s Office are hosting events Saturday, where residents are welcomed to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs.
Ormond Beach police will host their event in the lobby of the Ormond Beach Police Department from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Ocala police will be collecting pills for disposal at the Ocala Police Department at 402 S. Pine Ave., from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The DeLand Police Department will host its event in the front parking lot of the Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The department is at 219 W. Howry Ave.
Deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office will be collecting prescription drugs at multiple locations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Residents can drop pills off at the Publix Center of St. Cloud, the Boggy Creek Marketplace, the Promenade and the Pleasant Hill Commons.
Americans turned in 366 tons, more than 730,000 pounds, of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites last October, according to Ocala police.
DeLand police provided the following tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on getting rid of unwanted prescription drugs for anyone who is unable to participate in the event:
• Remove them from their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds, dirt or kitty litter.
• Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can or container to prevent the drug from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
• Scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to make it unreadable. That will protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information.
• Do not give your medicine to friends.
• When in doubt about proper disposal, ask your pharmacist.