National Prescription Drug Takeback – How Beach House Is Involved Locally

June 11, 2018

Saturday, April 28, marked “National Prescription Drug Takeback Day” in Palm Beach County, Florida, and around the country. Here in Palm Beach County alone, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was one of 30 pill drop-off centers collecting old, expired and unused pill bottles, no questions asked.

The annual spring cleaning drive is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Nationally, the initiative is in its 15^th year of operation. Locally, the initiative is an example of how private providers like Beach House Center for Recovery are teaming up with the Palm Beach County’s Sheriff’s Office and other key stakeholders in the community to address the opiate epidemic.

“The effort has been going strong for four years, thanks to the sheriff’s department,” said Micah Robbins. As a member of the Beach House team, Robbins serves on Palm Beach County’s Substance Awareness Coalition. (The coalition has played a leading role in facilitating Palm Beach County’s participation in National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, with the goal of protecting more children and families from the scourge of addiction and overdose.)

As an example of what he meant by “going strong,” Robbins noted that when the drug disposal initiative first began in Palm Beach County four years ago, residents turned in 400 pounds of pills. Last year, they dropped off a total of 8,000 pounds—so the word is getting out and our community is responding.

Protecting Children from Prescription Drugs – How You Can Help

The context for National Prescription Drug Takeback Day in this and recent years has been a runaway painkiller epidemic that is endangering countless young lives. Every day in the U.S., 2,500 children abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time, according to statistics from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. And research findings cited by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids reveal that:

One in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug in their lifetime.
Just under half of these teens who misused or abused a prescription drug obtained it from their parent’s medicine cabinet.
More than half of teens say it’s easy to get prescription drugs from their parent’s medicine cabinet.

If you just missed this year’s National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, you don’t have to wait until next year’s event to get rid of excess, unwanted or expired pills. Some drug disposal sites are open year-round. We encourage you to find one in your area.

Pill drop locations will accept the following items for drop-off:

Prescriptions
Over-the-counter medications
Vitamins
Samples
Medications for pets
Ointments
Lotions
Liquid medication in plastic or leak proof containers

The following items are not acceptable for disposal:

Needles (Sharps)
Thermometers
Bloody or infectious waste
Medication from businesses or clinics
Hydrogen peroxide
Aerosol cans
Inhalers
Medication in glass containers

To learn more about how Beach House is collaborating with local law enforcement and government officials to address the opiate epidemic, check out these articles in our Learning Center:

Beach House Recognized for Service to Community, Treatment Excellence

Beach House Stands Up to Addiction and for Recovery in Solidarity with Local Community

Learn How to Identify Pills

How Private Rehab Facilities Are Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap in Florida

Prescription Drug Abuse Facts You Need to Know About

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Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.

National Prescription Drug Takeback – How Beach House Is Involved Locally

Protecting Children from Prescription Drugs – How You Can Help

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