PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The opioid overdose epidemic in the United States has grown exponentially. According to the Centers for Disease Control, from 1999 to 2019, nearly 500,000 people died from an overdose involving opioids, including prescription and illicit opioids.
There are several measures healthcare providers, community-based organizations and individual households can take to help prevent opioid deaths.
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The key is to dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medicines in a safe and environmentally-friendly way. Walgreens is committed to assisting with this and curbing the crisis.
In conjunction with local law enforcement, Walgreens is hosting a Drug Take-Back Event on Saturday, April 24, the same day the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day takes place.
Walgreens representatives say the initiative is extremely helpful in getting unused drugs out of homes, into proper disposal sites, away from kids and off the streets.
The event also helps the environment by avoiding the inappropriate disposal of prescription medication.
Last year’s event saw the participation of more than 4,000 law enforcement officers. At more than 4,000 collection sites throughout the country, the amount of drugs collected was 985,392 pounds.
“When it comes to general safe practices around medications, it starts with everyone of us,” said Joan M. Bustelo, Walgreens Health System Supervisor. “Let’s begin building healthier communities today by participating in the Drug Take-Back Event to safely dispose your unused medicines.”
The following South Florida Walgreens locations will be participating this year. People can visit and leave their unused medications during the hours indicated, no questions asked.
Broward County
>6700 Dykes Road
Davie, FL 33331
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
>11204 West State Road 84
Davie, FL 33325
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
>1 West Sunrise Boulevard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Miami-Dade County
>15255 SW 137th Avenue
Miami, FL 33177
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
>18590 South Dixie Highway
Cutler Bay, FL 33157
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
