Local Police Agencies Join Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

ST. PETERSBURG, FL. - The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is set for its 20th installment of "Operation Medicine Cabinet" on Saturday, Oct. 28. The event is an opportunity for residents to safely discard unused or expired prescription medications; and is a multi-agency effort aimed at addressing the problem of prescription drug abuse and keeping a clean environment.

Operation Medicine Cabinet events began in May 2009 and have been held semi-annually. The event is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Agencies taking part in the event are: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Kenneth City Police Department; St. Petersburg Police Department; Largo Police Department; Pinellas Park Police Department; Clearwater Police Department; in conjunction with LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas Operation.

Locations

South County Locations: Kenneth City Police Department-4600 58th St. North, Kenneth City Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach St. Petersburg Police Department, 1300 1st Ave. North, St. Petersburg,

Mid County Locations: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Administration Building, 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo; Largo Police Department at Winn Dixie Parking Lot, 2400 East Bay Drive, Largo; Pinellas Park Police Department at Walgreens, 7751 49th St., Pinellas Park.

North County Locations: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office North District Station, 737 Louden Ave., Dunedin; Clearwater Police Department at Countryside Mall (near LA Fitness), 27001 U.S. 19 North, Clearwater.

Residents are invited to stop by any one of the eight listed locations during the designated times to drop off their unused and expired prescription medications for safe collection and disposal - no questions asked. The problem of prescription drugs abuse has reached epidemic proportions, with prescription drugs as the No. 1 abused drug in the United States, surpassing all other illicit drugs, police said.

Police said be aware that no bio-hazards or needles will be accepted and that the program is intended for residents of Pinellas County and not for commercial use. As a reminder, drop-off sites are in the parking lot area or lobby of each location. Residents should look for a law enforcement presence at each of the selected drop-off sites.

For further information, contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Public Information Office at 727-582-6221.

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