WEST PALM BEACH — The Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition (PBCSAC), an alliance for a drug-free community, has expanded its “Rx Drop Box” program to include six more of the county’s law enforcement buildings.
The county now features a total of 21 pill drop box sites, the most of any county in the state.
Residents can deposit their unused or wanted drugs at police departments and sheriff’s offices from Boca Raton to North Palm and as far west as Belle Glade, as part of the “PBC Rx Drop Box Awareness” campaign.
The full list of drop box locations, acceptable items and interactive map can be found at pbcdrop.org
“Disposing of prescription medication down the toilet or sink can be harmful for the water supply and toxic if indigested through tap water,” said Jeff Kadel, executive director of the Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition.
“Drop boxes ensure safe collection and keep prescription drugs out of the hands of children. With many pill drop boxes within driving distance, parents and those dealing with substance abuse have more opportunities to give up their prescription meds — no questions asked.”
Palm Beach County was considered at the epicenter of the nationwide pill mill epidemic just a few years ago. Although that stigma has since subsided following Florida’s crackdown on doctors, pharmacists and pain clinics, officials say it still is critical to reduce access and raise awareness, considering that approximately seven Floridians die every day from prescription drug overdose.
The PBCSAC alliance spearheads the community outreach program to educate youth and families on the dangers of Rx
drug abuse. Similar prescription take-back projects in effect across the country have proven to be successful, say officials, as they expect the county-wide program to be.
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