Got Drugs? Demings Announces Drug Drop Box Locations

Citizens of Orange County now five new locations where they could dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings announced Friday.

Noting that gains had been made since 2011, when Florida was known as the epicenter for prescription drug use and where seven deaths a day occurred as a result, Demings said, prescription drug abuse still remains a problem.

“Misuse and abuse of prescription drugs by the young and also the elderly, is a concern for all of us here in the community and certainly a concern for me,” he said. “Although we have made strides in our efforts, prescription drug abuse and misuse are still pervasive problems in this state and here in Central Florida.”

Pointing to surveys which show that 70 percent of people who abuse prescription drugs obtain them from family members, friends and medicine cabinets, Demings said, the new drop boxes provide easy access and a safe way for citizens to drop off unwanted prescriptions.

Demings said the five receptacles are being placed at Sheriff’s Office facilities, one each at the Central Operations Command Center on West Colonial Drive and sub-stations in Sector 1 – Apopka, Sector 2 – East Orange County, Sector 3 – Ocoee and Sector – 4, off John Young Parkway near the Orange County Jail.

Carol Burkett, Director, Orange County Drug Free Office, who joined Demings in making the announcement of the new prescription drop boxes, said the county had seen great success on drug take back days which occur twice a year.  According to Burkett, in five take back days, some 4,600 pounds of prescription drugs had been collected.

“We see these five new permanent drop boxes as an alternative and an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted medications and over the counter meds, getting them out of cabinets and out of hands where they might be abused and misused,” she said.

Burkett added that properly disposing of unwanted prescriptions in this manner was good for the environment, as well. “We don’t want them being flushed or poured down the drain,” she said.

During the upcoming period, she said, her office would be working closely with, not only law enforcement, but with OUC to promote the locations of the new drop boxes, and as well with the Environmental Protection Agency and Office of Aging on prescription drug education and proper disposal.

Both Demings and Burkett praised Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs for her focus on the prescription drug problem and establishment of the Drug Task Force.

Persons wishing to drop off unwanted prescription medications could do so at the above-mentioned locations, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., no questions asked.