WINTER PARK, Fla. – On Saturday, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are fighting the opioid epidemic during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Bill McDow stopped by the Winter Park Police Department Saturday morning with a bag full of unwanted prescription drugs.
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"Antibiotics and stuff my mom no longer takes," McDow said.
He wanted to get rid of them, but said the pharmacy would not take the drugs.
McDow dropped off the pills at Winter Park police headquarters. The agency is one of several Central Florida law enforcement agencies participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The event is held twice a year. During the event, the Drug Enforcement Administration urges people to get rid of expired or unused drugs in their homes safely.
Since the last Take Back Day in October, Winter Park police officials told News 6 it has collected 500 pounds of prescription pills. The drugs are boxed up and will be picked up by the DEA next week, along with the pills collected Saturday.
A big concern is pills ending up in the wrong hands.
The prescription drug take-back day is one way law enforcement is fighting the opioid crisis.
"I just want to protect the water system and I don't want these drugs going to our youth," McDow said.
Winter Park police also collect unwanted prescription drugs Monday through Friday in the lobby during normal business hours.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Click here to find a drop-off location near you.
In Osceola County, officials with the Sheriff's Office said they collected more than 680 pounds of unused, unwanted prescriptions in four hours.
News 6 is committed to bringing the opioid crisis to light and sharing how it is destroying lives in Central Florida.
Learn more about our efforts to end the opioid epidemic at ClickOrlando.com/opioidnation.