This Saturday: Time To Turn In Unwanted Prescription Drugs At VSO Sites

Date Added: April 20, 2023 1:29 pm

Laura Williams
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

IT’S NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY: TURN IN OLD MEDS SATURDAY AT VSO SITES

It’s spring cleaning time and your chance to safely rid your home of old, unneeded medications for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 2023, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Did you know that 24 million Americans suffer from a drug-use disorder, and many misused prescription drugs are acquired from family and friends – often from home medicine cabinets? That’s why It’s important to dispose of leftover medicines that can cause tragic accidents or intentional misuse, as well as pollute our water supply.

We do this twice a year because the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are committed to helping our communities get rid of medication and vaping devices that have been linked to injuries, addiction and overdose deaths.

It’s easy:  Just gather unused, unwanted or expired medications from your home and bring them to any of these Sheriff’s Office district locations:

• District 2: 1706 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand;

• District 3 North: 1435 U.S. 1, Suite D-3, Ormond Beach;

• District 4: 1691 Providence Blvd., Deltona;

• District 6: 79 S. Charles Beall Blvd., DeBary;

If Saturday isn't convenient, each of the above VSO district offices has a locked, steel mailbox-style disposal receptacle so you can safely get rid of these medications anytime during regular business hours all year long. No questions asked.

Or Volusia residents may call a deputy to pick up the medications. Call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number (386) 248-1777 to request a pickup.

Since the DEA began its national Take Back Day in 2010, this program has removed nearly 17 million pounds of unneeded medications across our country. 

Last October, we in Volusia County collected 463 pounds of medications from Take Back Day and our drop boxes at our district offices. In May 2022, we collected 500 pounds from Take Back Day and our drop boxes.

The DEA web site www.dea.gov/resources offers important resources for locating drug treatment, how to identify counterfeit pills, preventing drug addiction and more.

Thanks for doing your part to protect your home and our environment.