April 25 is annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, when law enforcement, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the medical community encourage people to turn in and dispose of expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications. Studies show a significant number of drug addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused medications from family and friends. The initiative is organized in April and October each year to make medicine cabinets countrywide a safer place, and to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications.
Drive-through sites at various locations across Osceola County, staffed by law enforcement officers, will be open to the community to safely dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs such as tablets or capsules (in any packaging), patches, vape cartridges (without batteries) and pet medications (needles, syringes, lancets or liquids will not be accepted).
Those locations include:
• HCA Florida Hospital Poinciana and Lake Nona locations
• The Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office
• Key Foods (916 13th St., St. Cloud)
(The Kissimmee Police Department offers a year-round medication drop-off option at the police department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
