Sheriff’s Office, DEA And ECUA Conduct Drug Round Up

May 1, 2011

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority and Walgreens joined forces Saturday with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for a “Prescription Drug Roundup” at six Walgreens and four Sheriff’s precinct locations including Molino and Century.

The event was a one-day effort between local and federal law enforcement to provide the pubic a site to voluntarily surrender expired, unwanted, unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction.

ECUA officials said pharmaceuticals are being discovered in our nation’s waters at very low concentrations, and to date, no evidence has been found on human health effects or in the environment. While the sources of these pharmaceuticals may be numerous, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been studying unused pharmaceutical disposal practices. This study was prompted by the concern that potentially large amounts of pharmaceuticals are being flushed or disposed of down the drain, ultimately ending up in rivers, streams and coastal waters.

“Prescription drug abuse is not uncommon in our society and this is an opportunity for members of our community to get rid of their unwanted drugs before they fall into the hands of someone who may abuse or misuse them,” said Sheriff David Morgan.

Pictured above: Some of the prescription drugs collected Saturday at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century precinct during a roundup.  NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News