If you want to combat drug abuse, the Drug Enforcement Administration says you can start in your own home.
A 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed about six million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs and a majority of them were taken from the home medicine cabinets of family and friends.
That’s the reason behind the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.
“We strongly encourage the public to do your part by discarding your expired, unused, and unwanted medications at any of [more than] 200 sites throughout Florida,” said Adolphus P. Wright, special agent in charge of the DEA Miami Field Division.
In South Florida, nearly 50 police departments are participating, including agencies in Miami-Dade County, Hollywood, Plantation, Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
They are among nearly 5,000 police agencies manning about 6,000 collection sites across the country between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time.
To find a location near you, call 800-882-9539 or visit DEATakeBack.com.
Residents can drop off pills and patches anonymously, but don’t bring any liquids, needles or other sharp objects because they won’t be accepted.
The DEA has collected nearly 11 million pounds — or more than 5,400 tons — of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications at these events since 2010, officials said.
wkroustan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4303 or Twitter @WayneRoustan
Time to clean out your medicine cabinet on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day