Drop boxes available all year at agency’s Sarasota headquarters and South County office
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is set to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Prescription Drug Take Back Campaign on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the agency has announced.
The event will take place at the SCSO headquarters, which is located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. in Sarasota, a news release says.
“This initiative addresses and draws attention to critical public safety, health, and environmental concerns, as studies indicate that most abused prescription drugs are sourced from family and friends, often through home medicine cabinets,” the release explains. “The medication turn-in process is entirely anonymous,” the release adds. The event will accept solid dosage medications, “including prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules. Please note that liquids and needles are not eligible for disposal,” it stresses.
The Sheriff’s Office does maintain a permanent drop box in the lobby of its headquarters, which is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the release notes. The agency also has a drop box at its South County office, which stands at 4531 Annex Road in Venice. The South County office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Other local law enforcement agencies with drop boxes are expected to “join this national initiative to encourage and publicize proper medication disposal,” the release says.
For further information or to locate a drop box in a particular community, call 1-800-882-9539 or visit the DEA’s website at https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.