LTC 187-2014 Operation Medicine Cabinet /\AIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 1,0-201 y LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members f the City C mission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: June 3, 2014
SUBJECT: Operation Medicine Cabinet
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to respectfully inform you that the Miami
Beach Coalition for a Safe, Healthy & Drug-Free Community, in collaboration with the City of
Miami Beach Fire-Rescue Department, will be holding its pharmaceutical drug collection and
disposal campaign, "Operation Medicine Cabinet" on the below dates and times with a
collection being held at each of the City's four fire stations. The prescription medication disposal
will take place at The Village-WestCare's Medical Department located at 400 N.E. 31s' Street,
Miami, FL 33137 and the purpose of this campaign is to stem youth abuse of pharmaceuticals
and reduce drug induced medical emergencies, while helping to keep our water supply free of
pollution.
Attached please see the press release that provides additional campaign details and an
analysis of recent trends by the National Drug Control Office. Operation Medicine Cabinet is
offered as a free community service for people of all ages who are encouraged to bring
unwanted medicines for disposal in order to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free.
This collection event will take place at:
Round 1:
Friday, June 6 from 12:30pm to 6:30pm at Fire Station 2 located at 2300 Pine Tree Drive
Saturday, June 7 from 12:30pm to 6:30pm at Fire Station 1 located at 1051 Jefferson Ave.
Round 2:
Friday, June 20 from 12:30pm to 6:30pm at Fire Station 4 located at 6880 Indian Creek Dr.
Sunday, June 22 from 12:30pm to 6:30pm at Fire Station 3 located at 5303 Collins Ave.
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Should you have additional questions please contact Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez. -=r °
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Attachment
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c: Virgil Fernandez, Fire Chief C _17
Francois Betancourt, Division Chief T'
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PRESS RELEASE
April 239 2014
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Mismi Beach Irian a ,Healthy b Drug-Free Conanwnity FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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For more information contact:
Marina B.Aviles
Miami Beach Coalition Project Coordinator
169 E. Flagler St.#1300
Miami,FL 33131
786-368-5810
Operation Medicine Cabinet
The Miami Beach Coalition, in collaboration with the Miami Beach Fire Department, will be
holding its pharmaceutical drug collection and disposal program campaign,"Operation Medicine
Cabinet"in June—the 1"round will be the week of June 1-8,2014 with collection being at the 2
Miami Beach fire stations in the north and south ends, and will be repeated at the other 2
remaining Miami Beach fire stations in the north and south ends prior to June 30`h, and the
disposal will be at The Village-WestCare's Medical Department located at 400 N.E. 31-4 St.
Miami, FL. 33137 to stem youth abuse of pharmaceuticals and reduce drug induced medical
emergencies,while helping to keep our water supply free of pollution.
Currently there are only a few places for collection of household medical wastes, especially for
controlled substances in our county and some areas have no drop off sites at all. By law,
controlled substances,which are medications such as: Vicodin®, Hyrocodone,e Ritalin and other
prescription drugs may only be possessed by the prescriptive owner and a sworn deputy or law
enforcement officer. This makes proper disposal difficult and confusing for many.
The Miami Beach Coalition has been working with The Village-WestCare's Medical Clinic, to
conduct this drug waste program,which has been successfully used by law enforcement agencies
statewide. "Operation Medicine Cabinet" has been shown in other counties to help meet the
community's need to remove dangerous drugs from households, reduce misuse and the potential
for drugs to end up in our water supply.
According to an analysis of recent trends by the National Drug Control Office, "Next to
marijuana, the most common illegal drugs teens are using to get high are prescription
medications."When asked why, teens responded with a common myth, that they believe the use
of prescription drugs is safer and more responsible than using street drugs.
Where do teens find these drugs?Nearly half report that they get them from a relative, a parent
or grandparent, right out of the medicine cabinet. Expired mediations are the cause of many
medical emergencies for other age groups too, especially seniors. One of the most common
causes of poisoning among seniors is accidental medication overdose. Statistics show that while
adults over 65 years of age represent only 13 percent of the total population,they consume more
than 30 percent of all prescribed medications and 40 percent of all over-the-counter medications.
Another report shows that accidental overdoses are up nearly 5 times over the last 10 years, with
nearly all poison-related deaths in the country are attributable to drugs, especially prescription
drugs. "That's why it's important to remove all unused medications right away" says, Marina
Aviles, Project Coordinator for the Miami Beach Coalition. "Removing the medication reduces
easy access to medications for misuse, increases awareness and the ability to keep track of
current medications."
In addition to drug abuse, there's confusion about how and where to dispose of medications.
Flushing drugs down the drain is not recommended because we now know it can lead to water
pollution. It's also best not to throw it in the landfill unless precaution steps are taken, to avoid
leaching by others or the mistaken consumption by someone's pet. One such method requires
mixing drugs in kitty litter then wrapping the bottles in duct tape prior to disposal.
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So, many old and unused medications accumulate in our homes. Operation Medicine Cabinet
requires no such measures and provides a method of safe disposal. Operation Medicine Cabinet
is offered as a free community service for people of all ages who are encouraged to bring
unwanted medicines for disposal in order to keep our community safe,healthy,and drug-free.
This collection event will take place at:
Fire stations 14 throughout the month of June,2014:
Round 1:
Friday,June,6: 2300 Pine Tree Dr.,Miami Beach,FL 33140 12:30-6:30 pm
Saturday,June, 7: 1051 Jefferson Avenue,Miami Beach,FL 33139 12:30-6:30 pm
Round 2:
Friday,June,20: 6880 Indian Creek Dr.,Miami Beach,FL 33141 12:30-6:30 pm
Sunday,June,22: 5303 Collins Avenue,Miami Beach,FL 33139 12:30-6:30 pm
The disposal will take place at:
The Village-West Care located at 400 N.E. 31S`St. Miami,FL. 33137
Please note***
Leave medications in original or sealed containers.
Needles or liquid medications will not be accepted.
Illegal drugs will not be accepted.
Drop-off is completely anonymous& needs to be done by an adult 18 years or older.
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PRESCRIPTION DRUCIS To KEEP OUR COMMUNITY
SAFE , HEALTHY & DRUGI - FREE ! !
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MBC in partnership with the Miami Beach Fire Dept is collecting unused or expired prescription drug
medication for safe disposal.Needles or liquid medications will not be accepted.
Must be 21+in�order to participate.
Rx Drug drop-off is completely anonymous and is available at the following locations:
Round 1:
Friday,June,;6: 2300 Pine Tree Dr.,Miami Beach, FL 3314012:30 PM-6:30 PM
Saturday,June, 7: 1051 Jefferson Avenue, Miami Beach, FL;3313912;:30 PM-6:30 PM
Round 2:
Friday,June,;20: 6880;Indian Creek Dr., Miami Beach, FL 3314112:30 PM-6:30 PM
Sun0ay,Junk, 22: 5303 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 3313912:30 PM-6:30 PM
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