Clay County public safety agencies and local organizations are teaming up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.
These include:
• Florida National Guard Counterdrug Program
• Clay County Fire Rescue Community Paramedicine
• Clay County Sheriff's Office
• Orange Park Police Department
• Clay Action Coalition
• Community Coalition Alliance
• Project Opioid Jax
• Florida's Poison Control Center
Neighbors in Clay County can turn in unused and expired medication for safe disposal at the following locations:
• Clay County Paramedicine Office: 400 College Drive Suite 106, Middleburg
• Orange Park Police Department: 2025 Smith St, Orange Park
This event aims to provide a convenient and responsible way for neighbors to dispose of prescription drugs.
New data from the CDC's National Vital Statistics System predicts a nearly 24% decline in drug overdose deaths in the United States for the 12 months ending in September 2024, compared to the previous year. The data shows multiple factors contributed to the drop in overdose deaths, including the widespread, data-driven distribution of naloxone and a shift in the illegal drug supply.
Properly disposing of these medications is critical to keeping our community and environment safe. If someone throws these medications in the trash, others can potentially retrieve and illegally sell them. If someone flushes these medications down the toilet, they can potentially contaminate the water supply.
If neighbors in Clay County can't make it to this event on Saturday, they can still drop off unused or expired pill or capsule medications year-round at the Orange Park Police Department and at the Green Cove Springs Police Department, located at 1001 Idlewild Ave, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.
