Hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations in the county
On Saturday, April 28, law enforcement agencies throughout Sarasota County will participate in the Drug Enforcement Association (DEA) national event to properly dispose of turned-in prescription medications.
The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has announced.
People may come to the Sheriff’s Office headquarters, located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. in Sarasota, or to the South County office located at 4531 State Road 776 in Venice. Both facilities also have permanent drop boxes, which are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, a news release explains.
The Sarasota, Venice and North Port police departments have permanent drop boxes in each of their lobbies, too; they will be participating in the event, as well, the release notes. Additionally, the New College Police Department, located at 501 College Drive in Sarasota, will accept unused and expired medication.
Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medication —such as tablets and capsules — are accepted. Liquids and needles will not qualify, the release stresses. “While boxes at each location are available to the public year-round, agencies participate in the national turn-in initiative to publicize the permanent option for proper disposal,” the release explains. Medication turn-in is always anonymous.
“Drug turn-in events address a vital public safety and public health issue,” the release continues. Studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family members and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, the release adds. Proper disposal of medication is also safer for the environment, the release points out.