Drug Take-Back Day Nets 44 Pounds Of Pills In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL -- On Saturday, Oct. 27, officers with the Sarasota Police Department Street Crimes Unit collected 44.5 pounds of unused, expired and unwanted prescriptions drugs during the National Drug Take-Back Initiative.

Members of the Drug Enforcement Administration will collect the drugs that were dropped off from the Sarasota Police Department Property Unit and dispose of them properly.

The drug take-back initiative is an opportunity for the public to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. 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.

For those who missed Saturday's take-back event, the Sarasota Police Department has a permanent drop-box in the lobby at Sarasota Police Headquarters, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota, that can be accessed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

Image via Sarasota Police

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