VSO to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

As spring cleaning season approaches, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VSO) reminds residents about the importance of safely disposing of old, unneeded medications. This Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 2023.

Since the DEA began its national Take Back Day in 2010, the program has removed nearly 17 million pounds of unneeded medications nationwide. In October 2022, Volusia County collected 463 pounds of medicine from Prescription Take Back Day and drop boxes at district offices, while they collected 500 pounds in May 2022.

According to the Sheriff's Office, an estimated 24 million Americans suffer from a drug use disorder, with misused prescription drugs acquired from family and friends, often from home medicine cabinets. When leftover medicines are disposed of, tragic accidents and intentional misuse can be prevented, along with protecting our water supply from pollution.

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office is committed to helping communities get rid of medications and vaping devices that cause injuries, addiction, and overdose deaths. Residents are encouraged to gather unused, unwanted, or expired medications from their homes and bring them to any of the following 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 residents cannot participate in the event, the above district offices have locked, steel mailbox-style disposal receptacles available during regular business hours all year long. Additionally, Volusia residents may call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number (386) 248-1777 to request a pickup of the medications.