Sheriff announces drop boxes for drugs

Permanent Pharmaceutical Drop Boxes Installed

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight today announced the installation of permanent pharmaceutical drop boxes to give citizens the opportunity to turn in controlled substances and unused or expired prescription medications year-round.

The drop boxes are located in the lobby of the Criminal Justice Center, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, which is open 24-hours a day, and at the south county office, 4531 State Road 776, Venice, where the lobby hours are 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

When the Sheriff’s Office launched its Pharmaceutical Diversion Investigative Unit last year it held Operation Medicine Cabinet® throughout the county. The successful turn-in event underscored the need for permanent drop boxes.

At today’s unveiling in Venice, Sheriff Knight also announced the expansion of the investigative unit. “A North Port Police Department detective has joined our Pharmaceutical Diversion team full-time,” said Sheriff Knight. “Resource-sharing is an efficient and effective way to attack the prescription drug abuse problem and I’m grateful to Chief Terry Lewis for the assistance.”

This weekend, the Sheriff’s Office will participate in the National Take-Back initiative organized by the US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. On Saturday, September 25th, both drop box locations will have additional staffing from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Medication turn-in is always anonymous. Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications such as tablets and capsules are accepted. Intra-venous solutions, injectable medication and needles are some of the items that are not allowed.