Department partnering with DEA to enable the public to rid homes of unwanted pills; no questions asked
On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Sarasota Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give members of the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, the Police Department has announced.
Residents may bring pills for disposal to the front lobby of the Sarasota Police Department, which is located at 2099 Adams Lane in downtown Sarasota. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps; only pills or patches, a news release points out.) The service is free and anonymous; no questions will be asked, the release stresses.
“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” the release explains. “Medicines that sit in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet,” the release points out.
In addition, U.S. residents are being advised that their traditional methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash —pose potential safety and health hazards, the release adds.
Other law enforcement drop-off locations in Sarasota County are as follows:
• 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
• 501 College Drive, Sarasota; New College Police Department.
• 1350 Ridgewood Ave., Venice; Venice Police Department.
• 4531 State Road 776 in Venice; Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
• 4980 City Hall Blvd., North Port; North Port Police Department
• 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; New College of Florida.
The Sarasota Police Department does have a permanent drop-off box at its headquarters, located at 2099 Adams Lane in Sarasota, the release adds.