Discard of unused medications at Pasco pill drops

Dispose of your prescription drugs improperly and you could be contaminating the water supply and contributing to the national epidemic of prescription drug abuse.

On Sept. 25, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and other local agencies are participating in the first national campaign to safely dispose of prescription medicine, vitamins, herbs, veterinary medication, over-the-counter medication and needles. The prescription take-back initiative is led by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

The campaign should help dispose of pills properly and "halt the disturbing rise of addiction caused by their misuse and abuse," the DEA said in a news release.

Pills and other medication can be dropped off at the following locations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 25: Gulf View Square mall, 9409 U.S. 19, Suite 781, Port Richey; and The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel.

For information about those locations, call Pam Chestnut at the sheriff's office at (727) 834-3376 or by e-mail at pchestnut@pascosheriff.org.

The Zephyrhills Police Department also will host a collection site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 25 in the parking lot of the police department, 6118 Eighth St., Zephyrhills. For information, call Lori Tindall, the department's crime prevention supervisor, at (813) 780-0050, Ext. 147.

At each location, people can simply drive up, drop off their medication and drive away - no questions asked.

The DEA offered several facts about prescription drug abuse:

• Every day, an average of 2,500 teenagers use prescription drugs to get high for the first time

• 60 percent of teens who abused prescription pain relievers did so before age 15

• Two in five teens believe that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs, and 30 percent of teens believe that prescription pain relievers are not addictive

• Prescription drugs, including opioids and anti-depressants, are responsible for more overdose deaths than cocaine, heroin and amphetamines, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that it routinely provides opportunities for people to drop off unneeded pills. This year, the sheriff's office said it has collected 1,150 pounds of pills and 350 pounds of hypodermic needles throughout the county.

"By dropping off you unneeded pills, you prevent them from getting into the hands of addicts, which assists your deputies in keeping Pasco safer," Sheriff Bob White said.