LUTZ, Fla. — A new method is keeping unwanted drugs out of unsuspecting hands in Pasco County.

What You Need To Know

  • Pasco County Fire Rescue is providing drug disposal bags at stations across the county, rendering unwanted medications or drugs unusable

  • They’re called Deterra Drug Deactivation System pouches, using a chemical to deactivate drugs once placed inside with water

  • Bags are free to pickup at fire stations throughout Pasco County, thanks to a partnership with Alliance For Healthy Communities

Pasco County Fire Rescue is now providing drug disposal bags, rendering unwanted medications or drugs unusable. It’s helping reduce risk across the county.

At Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 23, firefighter paramedic Glenn Traiger is spear-heading a new campaign, providing drug disposal bags across the county.

“Everyone has asked the same question. What do I do with these medications?” Traiger said.

“It’s a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of your medications,” he said.

They’re called Deterra Drug Deactivation System pouches. Using a chemical to deactivate drugs once placed inside with water. The bags are free to pickup at fire stations throughout Pasco County, thanks to a partnership with Alliance For Healthy Communities.

“We developed a way where there are now 29, soon to be 30, fire stations across Pasco County," said Traiger. "We now have them available at every fire house across the county along with being on every frontline apparatus. They’re on every fire truck to ladder truck to rescue to even all of our staff vehicles.”

With each fire engine equipped with the bags, Traiger says, proper drug disposal will be easier.

“It’s just not a Pasco County issue let alone a state, I believe it’s a national issue of how to properly dispose of medication," Traiger says. "We’re just here in Pasco trying to be the forefront of who is really reaching out to the community to, again, put these into the hands of civilians to properly dispose of medications.”

And with Pasco Fire Rescue’s hectic schedule, having the pouches is expected to potentially cut down on certain calls.

“It’s going to help alleviate some of the calls we do go on where there’s possible overdoses due to children getting into medications and along with medication errors," Traiger said.

It’s a small step toward taking care of a large problem. But one, Traiger says, he hopes one day can help others beyond Pasco County. 

“My goal, ultimately, is to have Pasco County as one of the largest fire departments to provide these to be a safe harm reduction, environmentally friendly way of disposing medication, he said, "which could eventually help save lives along with protecting the environment.”

The goal is saving lives with the help of a pouch.

The drug disposal bags are free to pick-up at Pasco Fire Rescue Stations. You can learn more about the bags as well as other resources for prevention, treatment and recovery online right here.