​Sarasota Police To Collect Unwanted Prescription Drugs Saturday

SARASOTA,, FL -- On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Sarasota Police Department will once again partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration for a National Drug Take-Back Initiative.

This is an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by allowing residents to get rid of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Residents are asked to bring pills for disposal to the front lobby of the Sarasota Police Department, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps; only pills or patches). The service is free and anonymous.

Medicines that sit in home medicine 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, pose potential safety and health hazards.

The Sarasota Police Department also has a permanent drop-box in the lobby at Sarasota Police Headquarters at 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota, that can be accessed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

Image via Sarasota Police

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)