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Thursday, November 21, 2024

Floridians urged to join National Drug Take Back Day amid opioid crisis

State AG
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Attorney General Ashley Moody | Office of Attorney General Ashley Moody

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is encouraging Floridians to take part in the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This event, organized by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), allows individuals nationwide to safely dispose of unneeded or expired prescription medications. On Saturday, residents of Florida can visit designated drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discard unwanted prescriptions. Attorney General Moody and law enforcement agencies across the state are committed to addressing the opioid crisis, which claims more than 100,000 lives annually due to drug overdoses.

Attorney General Ashley Moody stated, “Addiction doesn’t always start with illicit substances—it can begin with misusing prescription drugs. By safely disposing of unused prescriptions this weekend, you can help stop addiction from starting. We are highlighting safe prescription drug disposal locations across the state for the 27th Drug Take Back Day. Visit DEA.gov/TakeBackDay to find a location near you and help ensure that drugs don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

In April, during the 26th Drug Take Back Day, over 4,600 law enforcement officers participated nationwide, collecting more than 670,000 pounds of drugs—a weight comparable to more than 600 cows. In Florida alone, nearly 30,000 pounds were collected.

Florida offers over 200 locations where residents can safely dispose of prescription medications. The DEA website provides resources on how drugs affect the body and explains different drug schedules.

To raise awareness about opioid misuse dangers in Florida, Attorney General Moody developed the Dose of Reality Florida website. This comprehensive tool offers information and resources about opioid misuse and lists other year-round drug drop-off locations at DoseOfRealityFL.com.

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