Federal drug agents say you could be a drug dealer and not even know it.
Many legal drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor's approval, and that's why this weekend, agencies in South Florida are teaming up to take a stand on the issue.
"Each and every day, seven Floridians die from prescription drug abuse," said Mark Trouville with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Many more become hooked. Just ask Ft. Lauderdale Police.
"Since January of this year, here in our city we've made 67 arrests," said Chief Frank Adderley.
Local
It's a problem Tina Reed knows all too well.
"This has been a roller-coaster ride for our whole family," she said.
Her 26-year-old son fell victim to prescription drug abuse, one of millions battling a growing addiction.
Guess who's contributing to the problem? Agents say people at home unknowingly store unwanted prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet, leaving easy access to abusers.
"This is often the case of good drugs being used badly," Trouville said.
This Saturday, Drug Enforcement agents are asking everyone to drop off their old prescription drugs at one of 140 sites in South Florida. Enforcement agents and the National Guard will then haul the drugs off to properly dispose of them.
"The service is free and anonymous, there will be no questions asked," Trouville added.
Officials say just tossing them out or flushing away unwanted drugs can lead to health and safety hazards. So safety officials are uniting, making sure prescription drugs don't fall into the wrong hands.
And as for Reed's son?
“He is currently in treatment. He did have a year and a half clean and recently re-lapsed,” she replied.
It’s why she will keep fighting so other families won't experience the hurt.
Click here to find a prescription drug drop off site near you.
