Safe option now available for homebound residents to dispose of prescription medicines

Department of Health, Drug Free Sarasota and the Sheriff’s Office collaborate on the new initiative

(From left) Chuck Henry of the Department of Health-Sarasota, Kameroon Boykins of Drug Free Sarasota and Deputy Tim Speth of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office gather to mark the start of the new program. Contributed photo
(From left) Chuck Henry of the Department of Health-Sarasota, Kameroon Boykins of Drug Free Sarasota and Deputy Tim Speth of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office gather to mark the start of the new initiative. Contributed photo

Drug Free Sarasota and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) in distributing easy-to-use Deterra pouches for homebound residents and their caregivers to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications, the organizations have announced.

The Deterra Drug Activation System allows individuals to put their medications in a bag containing carbon, which bonds to pharmaceutical compounds when water is added, a news release explains. The user then adds the water and shakes up the contents to neutralize the active ingredient in the drug before the user disposes of the biodegradable bag in the safety of his or her own home, the release adds.

Deterra pouches may be picked up while supplies last at one of the following DOH-Sarasota locations:

  • William L. Little Health & Human Services Center, located at 2200 Ringling Blvd. in downtown Sarasota.
  • North Port Health Center, located at 6950 Outreach Way in North Port.
  • Environmental Health Office in the Robert L. Anderson County Administration Center, located at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice.
  • Environmental Health Office in the Sarasota County Government Complex, located at 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd. in Sarasota.

“The permanent drop boxes at six law enforcement offices across Sarasota County remain in place and continue to be the recommended way for residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications,” the release explains. “As proof of their effectiveness, more than 19,000 pounds of unused and expired medicines have been collected in Sarasota County since 2009,” the release points out.

“Our goal is to reduce drug-related overdoses and deaths while promoting a healthier environment,” says Kameroon Boykins, coordinator of Drug-Free Sarasota, the state-funded drug prevention coalition serving Sarasota County, in the release.

“Through this partnership, Drug Free Sarasota, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office hope to provide all residents with a way to participate in a countywide initiative to safely dispose of their unused/expired prescription medicines,” the release adds.