Unwanted prescription drugs collected on campus

The UCF Police Department and UCF Health Services collected 31.5 pounds of prescription drugs were collected Thursday at UCF's first Drug Take Back event.

 "There's definitely a need for this, hopefully we will be able to host it [the drug take back] every 6 months," Megan Pabian, UCF Health Services marketing coordinator, said. "We collected pills and liquids from about 30 students and faculty who just didn't know how to get rid of their medication."

The event was open to the public and offered people a chance to bring their prescription and over-the-counter drugs for disposal without being questioned.

 The Office of National Drug Policy's Federal Guidelines advise that "prescription drugs should not be flushed down the toilet or drain unless the accompanying information specifically says to do so."

Events such as this allow participants a chance to get rid of their unwanted or unused drugs without harming the surrounding environment.

"The number one reason for this is the environment. It's really about protecting the environment and water supply for future generations," Pabian said.

As people approached the table, located in the middle of the John T. Washington Breezeway, they were welcomed with smiling faces. One person even chose to dispose of her pet's unused medications and was very thankful they were able to dispose of the pills.

Although the event is being held for the purpose of collecting unused and possibly harmful drugs, it is also about educating the public about drug abuse and its effect on the environment.

On the table, there were many flyers with information about disposing unused medication and identifying pills that are no longer in the correct container.

"It is about education," Pabian said, "people need to be informed so that they do not continue harming the environment when they throw away their medicine."

According to UCF Health Services, the drugs that were collected will be "properly destroyed by the State Drug Enforcement Agency."

UCF's Drug Take Back event is part of a larger attempt to collect and properly dispose of prescription drugs throughout Central Florida.

On Saturday, Oviedo Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff's Department, Lake County Sheriff's Department, and the Orlando Police Department among others will host their own Drug Take Back event to promote the proper disposal of prescriptions drugs, to protect the nation's waterways, and to keep harmful medications away from potential abusers.

These events are part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's third National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Last year, Congress passed legislation that allowed the DEA to develop a process for people to safely dispose of their prescription drugs.

According to the Office of Diversion Control's website, the DEA is currently working on this project and will continue to host Drug Take Back events until the process is complete.