Sarasota Police, Others Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Pills

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota residents with unwanted or expired prescription pills they’d like to get rid of have a safe place to turn to do so. The Sarasota Police Department is joining other law enforcement agencies across the country in hosting a National Drug Take-Back Initiative this Saturday.

“It’s an opportunity to give our community a chance to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs,” the police department wrote in an email to media. The national push is spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Sarasota residents can bring their pills or patches to the police department’s lobby at 2099 Adams Lane during Saturday's event. The disposal service is free and anonymous. Liquids and sharps are not accepted by the DEA. The operation will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22.

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” the police department said. “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. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.”

Other drop-off locations within the county include:

• Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
• New College Police Department, 501 College Drive
• Venice Police Department, 1350 Ridgewood Ave., Venice
• Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, 4531 State Road 776, Venice
• North Port Police Department, 4980 City Hall Blvd., North Port

All of the locations have permanent drop box locations except the New College Police Department. Sarasota Police offer a year-round drop location at 2099 Adams Lane.

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