Gulfport Police to Collect Unused Medications for Operation Medicine Cabinet

If you have prescription pills that are expired or unused, you can dispose of them safely on Saturday. The Gulfport Police Department is participating in the seventh annual "Operation Medicine Cabinet" in Pinellas County.

Local law enforcement will be at Walgreens at 5701 Gulfport Blvd. S. from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. to collect medications. No biohazard items or needles will be accepted.

Last year Gulfport Police collected 34.1 pounds of solid medications and 24.9 pounds of liquid, totaling 59 pounds. “We’re just happy people are taking advantage of the program,” Sgt. Robert Burkhart said.

Including the Gulfport location, there are 14 total sites in Pinellas County:

• Sweetbay: 7491 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg (Southeast corner of Fourth Street N & 76 Avenue  N)
• Sweetbay: 6095 Ninth Ave. N, St. Petersburg (9th Avenue N west of Tyrone Boulevard)
• Walgreens: 5701 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport (Northwest corner Gulfport Blvd & 57th St S)
• Sweetbay: 955 62 Ave S, St Petersburg (Northwest corner of Dr. MLK Jr. St. S & 62 Avenue S)
• Sweetbay: 6851 Gulfport Blvd., South Pasadena (Gulfport Boulevard west of Oleander Way S)
• Walgreens: 10551 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island (Southeast corner of Gulf Boulevard & 106 Avenue)
• Dolphin Village Shopping Center: 4655 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach (Gulf Blvd north of 46 Avenue)

Last year, the PCSO collected more than one thousand pounds of unwanted and unused medications. Officials called that amount an "all-time record" for the program. To date, the total collected weight of all OMC operations amount to more than 2.5 tons of medications.

Those who cannot participate in the April 28 event may leave expired or unneeded medications in the permanent drop-box at the Sheriff's Administration Building at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo, or at the North District Station at 737 Louden Avenue in Dunedin. However, those two drop-boxes will be closed temporarily during the event.

For more information, contact the Gulfport Police Department at 893-1030 or the PCSO Public Information Office at 727-582-6221, or visit the PCSO website.