TAMPA, Fla. — Drug overdoses continue to claim the lives of people around the country, including in Florida. In 2022, more than 3,700 people died from an overdose and the majority were caused by opioids, according to data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
What You Need To Know
- Saturday, October 28 is National Drug Take Back Day
- You can dispose of unused or expired medication at numerous sites around Tampa Bay. Click here to see a full list of locations
- The goal of the event is to prevent medication misuse
Local hospitals, law enforcement and the anti-drug alliance are teaming up to help prevent medications from getting into the wrong hands. As part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Takeback Day, you can drop off old or unused medications at sites across the Tampa Bay area.
On Saturday, you can drop off old or unused medications at sites across the Tampa Bay area. The focus is to collect pills, liquids (in leak-proof containers) and vape cartridges. Syringes and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
Those involved with the event say the goal is to educate the community and help prevent medication misuse.
“There’s always a possibility of children getting into prescription drugs and that’s never a good thing,” said Capt. Travis Maus with the Tampa Police Department. “This gives people an opportunity to get rid of those unwanted pills and to keep us safer that way.”
Experts recommend keeping medications locked up and out of reach of kids and teens.
Opioids are involved in 75% of all overdoses, according to the CDC. Opioids include prescribed pain medications, like oxycodone and morphine, which can be misused and addicting. Monica Gonzalez’ battle with addiction first began with drugs from her family’s medicine cabinet.
“Prevention is probably one of the most important things that we can do as a community, as parents, as schools,” Gonzalez said. “Let’s stop the problem before the problem happens.”
You can drop off medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at numerous locations in the Tampa Bay area. Click here to see a full list of locations.
