***Update as of 4:45 p.m. on October 22, 2016***
Who: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Patrol Operations Bureau -Crime Prevention and Community Awareness Unit -Community Policing Unit
Live Free! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
What: The Operation Medicine Cabinet collected 303.5 pounds of medication.
When: In conjunction with the 12th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Operation Medicine Cabinet was held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Where: The event was held at eleven locations across Pinellas County to include north, mid and south county.
Why/How: The breakdown of results for Operation Medicine Cabinet is as follows:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Administration Building: 22 lbs North District Station: 14 lbs St. Pete Beach: 9 lbs
TOTAL: 45 lbs
Largo Police Department: 18.5 lbs
Clearwater Police Department: 165 lbs
Pinellas Park Police Department: 16 lbs
Gulfport Police Department: 10 lbs
St. Petersburg Police Department: 49 lbs
TOTAL WEIGHTS FOR ALL AGENCIES: 303.5 LBS
The event is an opportunity for residents to safely discard unused or expired prescription medications; and is a multi-agency effort aimed at addressing the problem of prescription drug abuse and keeping a clean environment.
Operation Medicine Cabinet events began in May 2009 and have been held semi-annually since then.
Drop-off containers inside Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Central Station (Largo) and North County District Station (Dunedin) are open year round.
***End of Update***
***Original News Release***
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) What: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Live Free! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County, will hold Operation Medicine Cabinet (OMC) for residents to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications free of charge.
When: In conjunction with the 12th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Operation Medicine Cabinet will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Where:
Eleven drop-off locations throughout Pinellas County (listed below).
How/Why:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Live Free! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County, will hold Operation Medicine Cabinet for residents to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications free of charge.
In conjunction with the 12th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Operation Medicine Cabinet will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 11 drop-off locations (see list below).
According to National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day organizers, more than 6.4 million pounds of medication have been collected over the last 11 Take Back Days.
No bio-hazard items or needles will be accepted. Operation Medicine Cabinet is intended for the citizens of Pinellas County and not for commercial use. The OMC drop-off sites will only be at the following locations:
North County Locations Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office North District Station 737 Louden Avenue, Dunedin
Clearwater Police Department 27001 US Highway 19 North (Countryside Mall near LA Fitness)
Mid County Locations Largo Police Department 2400 East Bay Drive, Largo (Winn Dixie parking lot)
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo
Pinellas Park Police Department 7751 49th Street, Pinellas Park (Walgreens)
South County Locations Kenneth City Police Department 4600 58th Street North, Kenneth City
St. Petersburg Police Department 1300 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg
8151 Dr. MLK Street North, St. Petersburg (Target parking lot)
1050 58th Street North, St. Petersburg (Winn Dixie Tyrone Gardens Shopping Center)
St. Pete Beach 7701 Boca Ciega Drive St. Pete Beach (Community Center)
Gulfport Police Department 5501 27th Avenue South, Gulfport (Gulfport Senior Center)
For more information about Operation Medicine Cabinet visit www.pcsoweb.com/operation-medicine-cabinet or contact the Sheriff’s Public Information Office at 727-582-2222.
Media is welcome to cover this event.
Non Emergency Line: (727) 582-6200 | In an Emergency call 911ADA info