Fraser Cobbe

Orange County Medical Society

Seminole County Medical Society

Our local Medical Societies are pleased to participate in the heroin and opioid task forces that have been created in Orange and Seminole County. These efforts are led by dedicated professionals from a cross walk of the community that are actively seeking solutions to limit the impact of addiction and opioid and heroin abuse.

The American Medical Association has covered several media reports this week that highlight the additional victims of this crisis, our children. This is a population that is particularly at risk due to improper handling of controlled substances often at home.

New research has found that minors hospitalized for opioid poisonings or overdoses were most common among kids aged 12-17 and those aged 1-5 years old. The research also found that the number of minors that need intensive care during their hospitalization due to opioid poisoning or overdose has doubled from 2007 to 2015.

Our organizations are asking our members and your patients to help make the next DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day the largest on record. During the last Take Back Day in October, over 2,800 pounds of prescription drugs were collected in Orange and Seminole County alone.

The date for the next Take Back Day is Saturday, April 28th from 10 am to 2 pm. The list of drop off locations is currently being finalized. A complete list will be posted on this website after April 1st.

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

If you have unused supply, you don't have to wait until April 28th as both Orange and Seminole County offer drop off locations throughout the year. Below are the respective drop-off locations that are in operation throughout both counties.

Orange County Drop Off Locations

Seminole County Drop Off Locations

Our members are encouraged to help spread awareness of the need to safely handle prescription drugs and disseminate these locations with your patients.