Participating in 18th Drug Take-Back Day

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking Floridians to help fight the opioid crisis and teen vaping epidemic by participating in the 18th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The biannual event is an opportunity for people to properly dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs or controlled substances. Disposing of unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals helps prevent drug abuse, addiction and overdose deaths. Additionally, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, for the first time ever, will accept vaping products on Drug Take-Back Day.

Attorney General Moody today joined DEA to preview a take-back location in the Tampa Bay area. Drug Take-Back Day will take place this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations across Florida.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The excess supply of prescription medications is helping fuel the national opioid crisis and teen vaping is at an all-time high. Properly disposing of unused, expired drugs and vaping products helps prevent addiction and could save a life. I ask all Floridians to please participate in Drug Take-Back Day and help keep addictive opioids and vaping products from falling into the wrong hands.”

DEA coordinates drug take-back days with state and local law enforcement. Floridians can learn more about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and find participating locations by visiting TakeBackDay.dea.gov.

Since the fall of 2010, the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA is 11,816,393 pounds. During the last Drug Take-Back Day in April, more than 930,000 pounds of unused or expired prescription medication were turned in—35,775 pounds in Florida.

To see more information and statistics on April’s results, click here.

To find local prescription drug disposal locations participating in Drug Take-Back Day, click here.

It is important to note that DEA does not accept devices with lithium ion batteries. If the batteries cannot be removed, DEA recommends individuals visit stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.

For year-round take-back locations and other tips to help fight opioid abuse visit Attorney General Moody’s new statewide resource, DoseofRealityFL.com. Attorney General Moody is also taking additional steps to reduce the excess supply of prescription opioids in Florida.

Last week, Attorney General Moody called on the DEA to reexamine opioid prescription quotas. Lowering federal production quotas will ultimately reduce drug overdose deaths by limiting the amount of leftover pain medication that could fall into the hands of Floridians struggling with addiction.

For more on the call to action, click here.