Officers with the Sarasota Police Department collected 14.75 pounds of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs while partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) during the annual National Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

The service was free and anonymous with no questions asked.  The 14.75 pounds of unwanted prescription pills will be collected and properly disposed of by members of the DEA.  During the last National Take-Back Day in April 2021, the DEA collected 420 tons (839,543 lbs.) of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications nationwide.  Clearing out unused medicine is essential with studies indicating many abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.  Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.  Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.  Prescription drugs that are unused and flushed can contaminate water supplies.  Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment. 

For those citizens who were unable to stop by the event, the Sarasota Police Department has a permanent drop box in the lobby of Sarasota Police Department headquarters, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota.  Residents can use it any day while the lobby is open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

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