Help Combat Prescription Drug Abuse Today

Prescription bill abuse in the United State is still on the rise and is the No. 1 type of drug abuse in the U.S. and Pinellas County. 

Saturday, in accordance with National Prescription Drug Take-Back day, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is hosting Operation Medicine Cabinet at eight locations throughout the county. 

The event is designed for citizens to safely discard unused or expired
prescription medications. 

You can drop off prescription medications from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Walgreens at 5701 22nd Ave. S in Gulfport. For more county locations, see list below. 

In the last four years, the county has hosted eight Operation Medicine Cabinet events. Medications dropped off at those events along with permanent drop-off containers within the community have collected 11,439.1 pounds of medications, according to the sheriff's office.

According to National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day organizers, in the five previous Take-Back events, the DEA in conjunction with state and local law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications.

Pinellas County Prescription Medication Drop-off Locations

• Kenneth City Police Department
  • 4600 58th St. North, Kenneth City (Kenneth City Police Department)
• Walgreens
  • 5701 22nd Ave. S, Gulfport, (Gulfport Police Department)
• St. Petersburg Police Department
  • 1300 1 Ave. N, St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg Police Department)
• Pinellas Park Police Department
  • 7700 59th St. N, Pinellas Park (Pinellas Park Police Department)
• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (Sheriff's Admin Building - front lot)
  • 10750 Ulmerton Rd., Largo (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)
• Sweetbay Supermarket
  • 2460 East Bay Dr., Largo, (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)
• Westfield Countryside Mall (between Lifestyle Gym & JC Penney's)
  • 27001 US Hwy 19 N., Clearwater (Clearwater Police Department)
• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (North District Station - front parking lot)
  • 737 Louden Ave., Dunedin (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)

No biohazards or needles will be accepted and that the program is intended for private citizens of Pinellas County. Drop off sites are not located inside the stores but in the parking lot areas, a news release said.

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