Oct. 29 designated DEA National Take Back Day for unwanted or expired prescription drugs, with two Sarasota locations planned

Sarasota Police Department partnering with Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center on 17th Street

The Sarasota Police Department will partner with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, and Drug-Free Sarasota on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., for the DEA National Take Back Day, the department has announced.

The event will allow residents of the community “to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs,” a news release explains.

“While the drop-box in the lobby of the Sarasota Police Department is available year-round,” the release says, residents are encouraged to bring unwanted medications to two drop-off locations on the Oct. 29 National Take Back Day:

  • Sarasota Police Department Headquarters, standing at 2099 Adams Lane in downtown Sarasota, near Payne Park and the Terrace Building.
  • The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, located at 1750 17th St. in Sarasota.“This is a drive-through location that will be accepting sharps as well as liquids,” the release emphasizes.

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” the release points out. “Medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse,” it adds. Keeping unused or expired prescription medications can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse, the release points out. “Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold,” it notes.

Further, “Proper disposal of unused drugs can saves lives and protect the environment,” the release says. “Prescription drugs unused and flushed can contaminate water supplies.”

The DEA National Take Back Day is free and anonymous, with no questions asked, the release also emphasizes.

During the last National Take-Back Day — in April — the DEA collected 360 tons (721,093 pounds) of expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications nationwide, the release says.

Learn more about the event at www.deatakeback.com or by calling 800-882-9539.