Polk County collects 1,641 pounds of unwanted medications

LAKELAND — It was a deal they couldn't refuse — Polk County residents last Saturday turned over 1,641 pounds of unwanted medications as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

From unused Oxycontin to outdated Xanax, StandUP Polk, InnerAct Alliance and local law enforcement agencies collected the pharmaceuticals and then safely burned them. 

“It is a highly important program that provides an opportunity for our citizens to safely dispose of unwanted medications in a manner which will keep the substance from the wrong hands, as well as keeping them out of our lakes, water and sewer systems,” said Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia. 

The event brought Polk County’s total to 22,296.6 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals since 2010. Angie Ellison, executive director of InnerAct Alliance, and a member of StandUP Polk, said the program ensures safety for residents.  

“Keeping expired medications is sometimes an iffy proposition,” Ellison said. “I’m sure we all say, ‘I might need this later,’ but the chemical composition changes over time.” 

Ellison said it’s also important to keep unused or expired medications out of the hands of drug addicts or teenagers trying to experiment. 

“People addicted to opioids and painkillers will go into your house and look for those things and teens might go into grandma’s medicine cabinet and take one pill because it won’t be missed,” she said, adding that they are trying to teach the public that it's unsafe for our waterways to flush medicine or even throw it out. 

“Really the best way is to turn them in at these events so they can be incinerated,” Ellison said. 

Police departments that participated were from Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven.  

In addition to the bi-annual event, the county has six permanent drop-off facilities at all of those agencies’ headquarters. However, only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes — no liquids or syringes. 

“We continue to serve as a safe location to drop off medication and ensure it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands,” Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said. “Although we accept medication during normal business hours year-round, taking part semi-annually in this event gives our residents a friendly reminder and maybe a little extra motivation to properly dispose of their unwanted or expired pills.” 

Ellison said 1,600 pounds of medicine is a substantial amount, especially considering the size of one pill. She added that the county’s elderly population utilizes the Take Back events the most.   

“If we can get younger families involved, as well, that would double our efforts, at least,” Ellison said.

The Take Back came during the same week as Red Ribbon Week to encourage children and families to make healthy choices. InnerAct Alliance and Publix Super Markets are hosting the Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge, with activities involving nutrition, healthy mind and body, kindness and tolerance, environmental issues, and leading a healthy lifestyle. 

Registration is free at www.RedRibbonRun.com. Children in elementary and middle schools can earn prizes for completing at least 15 challenges by Oct. 31. Anyone may register and take part in the Red Ribbon Challenge activities; however, prizes will not be available for older students adults, or non-registered participants. 

Ledger reporter Kimberly C. Moore can be reached at kmoore@theledger.com or 863-802-7514. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger. 

Permanent drop sites

Unwanted medications may also be taken to the county’s six permanent drop sites at local police departments, funded by Givewell Community Foundation: 

• Auburndale: 2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Haines City: 35400 Hwy. 27, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Lake Alfred: 190 N. Seminole Ave., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

• Lake Hamilton: 100 Smith Ave., weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Lakeland: 219 N. Massachusetts Ave., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

• Winter Haven: 125 N. Lake Silver Dr. NW, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.