Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Participating In Operation Pill Drop

SARASOTA, FL – For some people, unused or unwanted prescription drugs are just a waste of space on the shelf. For others, it’s an easy score for a drug habit or a quick buck.

That’s why the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is participating in Operation Pill Drop. It’s a statewide initiative that encourages residents to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.

The campaign started Saturday, Oct. 16 and will run until Saturday, Nov. 12. The goal of the project is to take unwanted prescription medications out of homes that could otherwise be potentially dangerous from accidental or intentional misuse by children or adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight out of 10 new heroin users began by abusing prescription opioid painkillers and moved to heroin when they could no longer obtain or afford those painkillers.

The sheriff’s office will host two locations for medication drop-off: The Criminal Justice Center, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, and the south county office, 4531 State Road 776 in Venice. The Criminal Justice Center is open 24 hours while the south county office is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medication such as tablets and capsules will be accepted. Liquids and needles will not be accepted. The medication turn-in is always anonymous.

While boxes at each location are available to the public year-round, the sheriff’s office is participating in the statewide turn-in initiative to publicize the permanent option for proper disposal.

“This is a great opportunity for parents to clean out their medicine cabinets,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “Unfortunately, because prescription medications are most commonly abused by young teens, parents must stay cognizant and use every opportunity to safeguard and protect their children from the dagners of drug abuse.”

For more information, visit www.sarasotasheriff.org.

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