Fort Lauderdale Offers Second Annual Medication Take Back Sunday, January 22

Event to coincide with annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Monique J. Damiano, Public Information Specialist
Public Works Department
(954) 828-7808
mdamiano@fortlauderdale.gov

Fort Lauderdale - The City of Fort Lauderdale is sponsoring its second annual Medication Take Back Event on Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Take Back Event, which coincides with the annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event, will take place at 100 N.W. 1st Avenue, which is one block north of Broward Boulevard and one block west of Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

In addition to collecting HHW, the City will be accepting unused, unwanted, or expired prescription and non-prescription medications. There is no cost to drop off medications and residents may remain anonymous; however, those dropping off HHW will be required to provide proof of Broward County residency.

City of Fort Lauderdale staff, along with a Fort Lauderdale police officer, will be on site to collect the medications. Once collected, the medications will be disposed of and destroyed in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner according to state laws and regulations.

Residents that are unable to attend the Medication Take Back Event may drop off medications in the secure collection box in the lobby of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, located at 1300 W. Broward Boulevard. Medications may be dropped off at the Police Department any time between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week.

The City held its first Medication Take Back Event last January and collected approximately 224 pounds of medications. This year, the City hopes to more than double that amount, as proper and safe disposal of medications helps prevent prescription drug abuse, as well as accidental overdoses and poisoning of children and pets. It also helps reduce crime and environmental pollution, decreases the amount of waste sent to local landfills, and protects our drinking water supply, local waterways, and native wildlife.

For more information about the Medication Take Back and Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, what to bring, or helpful guidelines, please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov or contact the City of Fort Lauderdale 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 or online at www.fortlauderdale.gov/customerservice.

Customer Service may also be reached via LauderServ, the City’s Android-based mobile application. For more information about LauderServ, please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/lauderserv.