Gulfport Police Department Collects Thousands of Prescription Medications

The collected 34.1 pounds of solid medications and 24.9 pounds of liquid, totaling 59 pounds. Sgt. Robert Burkhart says it's more than last years collection.

The weight means that officials collected thousands of medications contributing to the Pinellas County total of 776.8 pounds of prescription medications during Operation Medicine Cabinet. The was one of 15 collection sites across Pinellas County on Saturday April 30, 2011.

“We’re just happy people are taking advantage of the program,” Sgt. Robert Burkhart said.

Members of the Gulfport Police Department, Gulfport Explorers Program and Operation PAR Inc. collected pills and liquid medicines from area residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People were asked to bring in unused or expired prescriptions to be properly disposed of. The program is part of an on going effort to reduce illegal sales and use of prescription drugs as well as dispose of medications properly to keep the environment clean.

St. Petersburg resident Charlotte Hofmann brought in a bag full of several prescription medications. They belonged to her husband and after he passed away last June, Hofmann wanted to get rid of them properly. “They had been laying there for months. . . I think this is a wonderful program,” Hofmann said. She just hopes that next time around, officials “get the word out a little more”.

Gulfport resident Norman Sundeen also brought in a bag full of medications that belonged to his late wife. “These are old medications for my wife. I’ve had them for three years”. He too, thought the organized collection was a wonderful idea.

Bob Slusser with Walgreens is happy to host the annual event. “I think it’s fantastic, it keeps [the pills] from going down the toilette and keeping [pills] from going in the street.”

Officials collected everything from vitamins to pain medications known to be used on the streets, like hydrocodone, oxycodone and vicodin.

Those who helped at the Gulfport collection site included Sgt. Robert Burkhart, Operations Commander Howard Coombs, Police Explorers Captain Sam Smith and Pamela Dixon with Operation PAR Inc.

If you missed the event, you may also bring in unused or expired prescription medications to the Gulfport Police Department year-round. Sgt. Burkhart says there will likely be another collection event in the fall.