JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville is hosting a Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend. It’s part of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Day.
Thanks to National Take Back Day, Florida has collected 8,300 tons of unused medicine over the last 12 years. This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jacksonville wants to see you drop off your unused medications.
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“Get them out of the home to reduce the chance of overdose, medication mistakes,” Dawn Sollee, Director of The Florida Poison Information Center, said.
The federal law enforcement agency is aiming to maintain the public’s health and safety and so is Jacksonville.
“It’s also really important for the environment,” Florida Poison Information Center of Jacksonville Education Coordinator Michael McCormick said.
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McCormick said the biggest misconception about getting rid of your unused medicine is thinking you should do it on your own.
“Flushing pills down the toilet, you see it in movies, but it’s really bad because the pharmaceuticals go straight through wastewater treatment plants and into the water supply,” McCormick said.
RELATED: List of local participating locations in DEA Drug Take Back Day
If you or anyone you know would like to participate in this weekend’s Drug Take Back Day to get rid of your unused, unwanted or expired medications for safe disposal come by one of these five Jacksonville-area locations.
- UF Health North, 15255 Max Leggett Pkwy, 32218
- Avenues Mall, 10300 Southside Blvd., 32256
- Jacksonville Beach Police Department, 101 Penman Rd. S, 32250
- Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd. S., 32224
- The Potter’s House, 5119 Normandy Blvd., 32205
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Sollee hopes you participate.
“Take advantage of DEA drug take back day and disposal sites, it keeps those products out the hands of people that shouldn’t have access to them,” Sollee said.
Acceptable drugs include vitamins, over-the-counter medicine and prescription medication, patches, ointments and pet medications.
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