TAMPA, Fla. (November 1, 2018) – Hundreds of pills are now off the streets and in the right hands’ thanks to Tampa residents who dropped them off during the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Last Saturday’s Drug Take Back event was very successful, collecting over 800 pounds of medication.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration partnered with local law enforcement agencies and the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance (HCADA) in the Tampa Bay area to give residents the opportunity to clean out unused or expired prescription drugs safely and anonymously in an effort prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that nearly 19 million Americans, ages 12 or older, had abused or misused prescription drugs in the past year.
There were several collection sites set up throughout the Tampa Bay area including Plant City, at the University of South Florida, Valrico and more.
The Drug Take Back Day was started to address the issues of public health related to the opioid crisis. The abuse of prescription drug abuse in the United States is increasing at alarming numbers.
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About Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance:
Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance (HCADA) has been in existence, active in the community and supportive of law enforcement, the court system, prevention agencies, and substance abuse treatment providers since its inception in 1989. In 2003, HCADA restructured as a 501(c) (3) to apply for grant funding. Subsequently, HCADA expanded its community-based alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse education and prevention activities. It participates as well in the development of related planning strategies, statewide in scope, for the betterment of the Hillsborough County community. HCADA offers open membership and participation to all interested individuals and continues to provide a public forum for sharing information and new ideas. For more information about HCADA, visit www.hcada.com.