By disposing of unwanted or expired medicines, the supply of drugs available for people to misuse decreases, and drug abuse, addiction and overdose deaths can be averted.
The opioid crisis continues to ravage our state, claiming nearly 17 lives each day. In 2017, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration reported that more than 50% of youth, ages 12 to 17, who reported using drugs stated that the prescription drugs most recently misused were obtained from a friend or relative. By taking stock of your medicine cabinet and bringing in your unused or expired pharmaceuticals to take-back locations, you can help us prevent addiction or even overdose deaths.
In Florida alone, more than 38,000 pounds of medications were collected at last year’s Drug Take-Back Day, with more than 440,000 pounds collected in the sunshine state since 2010.
You can learn more about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day by visiting TakeBackDay.DEA.gov.
Fighting the opioid epidemic is one of my top priorities as Attorney General. To provide Floridians with more information about opioid addiction and useful resources, my office created Dose of Reality Florida. For locating year-round take-back locations and other tips to fight opioid abuse, visit this statewide resource at DoseofRealityFL.com.
By participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and decreasing the available drug supply, you can help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida.
In The News
Attorney General Moody urges Floridians to take part in Drug Take-Back Day, WEAR-TV
Ashley Moody gets tough with Joe Biden over court-packing ‘tyranny’, Florida Politics
Florida AG Moody demands Biden make Supreme Court commission meetings public, FOX News
Ashley Moody, Republican AGs suggest congressional ‘upset’ to blame for court-packing talk, Florida Politics
'Truck Drivers Are On Frontlines Of Human Trafficking': Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Enlists More Highway Heroes, CBS 4 Miami
Ashley Moody: PGT Innovations Team Receiving Anti-Human Trafficking Training, Florida Daily
Attorney General Ashley Moody Enlists More Highway Heroes to Stop Human Trafficking, Space Coast Daily
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Leads Coalition of Attorneys General in Opposition to President Biden’s Court-Packing Scheme
Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with 19 other attorneys general from across the nation, wrote to President Biden and congressional leaders to voice strong concerns, and opposition to, the recent steps towards packing the U.S. Supreme Court. Judicial independence is a core tenet of our judicial system and the bulwark upholding our rights and liberties. Recent actions by some members of Congress and President Biden threaten the independence of our federal judicial system and the rule of law.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Federal legislation has been filed, and a presidential advisory commission has been manufactured, to begin the process to pack our U.S. Supreme Court. These initial steps are alarming. We have seen historically in other nation states that this can lead to the demise of democracy. These attempts to take over our nation’s highest court, left unopposed, will shake the foundations of our system of government and fray the boundaries of separation of powers instilled in our Constitution. I, along with a coalition of other attorneys general, am standing up to protect the country that we love and the integrity of our judicial system.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Announces Victim Advocate Award Winners this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the winners of the Attorney General’s 2020 Distinguished Victim Services Award as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Each year, the Florida Attorney General’s Office honors victim advocates and law enforcement officers for their efforts in assisting crime victims. Attorney General Moody presented the awards during a video conference call ceremony with the winners and their respective departments.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Many of our state’s victim advocates and law enforcement officers go above and beyond their job description to assist crime victims and their families. Amidst uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a rise in violent crime this past year, these heroes held strong and assisted people suffering at the hands of criminal behavior and tragedy, from caring for injured children, to making breakthroughs in incredibly complex cases and much more.
“I am proud to recognize this year’s winners of our Distinguished Victim Services Award, and I want to thank these winners and all our victim advocates statewide for their continued commitment to serving crime victims.” Read More
Florida Nurse Arrested for Exploiting a Senior
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Licensed Practical Nurse for exploitation of an elderly person. According to an investigation by Attorney General Moody’s MFCU, Amy Latasha Curtis took advantage of an elderly person who resided as a patient in the Gainesville nursing home where Curtis worked as an LPN—stealing nearly $2,000 from the senior victim.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Many seniors rely on Licensed Practical Nurses to take care of their physical needs and act in their best interests. So, it seems even more egregious when a health care worker uses this position of trust to harm instead of healing their patient. I’m glad my Medicaid fraud investigators were able to track down and end the exploitation at the center of this case, before more harm was done.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Drug Enforcement Administration ASAC Mike Furgason at a press conference to encourage Floridians to help fight the opioid crisis by participating in the 20th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Attorney General Ashley Moody joining Governor Ron DeSantis, legislative leaders and law enforcement officers at a bill-signing ceremony for HB 1. The legislation aims to help prevent mob violence, looting and destruction in Florida, while ensuring the right to protest is protected.
Attorney General Moody virtually presenting this year’s Distinguished Victim Services Awards to recipients from across the state. Florida victim advocates and law enforcement officers go above and beyond to assist crime victims and their families during their darkest hours.
Attorney General Moody touring Place of Hope, an organization that helps displaced children, in West Palm Beach.
