Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/301152
L a w e n f o r c e m e n t a g e n c i e s t h r o u g h o u t S a r a s o t a C o u n t y will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) national event to "take back" and properly dispose of pre- scription medication on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Sheriff's Office has announced. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has permanent drop boxes at the Criminal Justice Center, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, which is open 24-hours a day; and the s o u t h c o u n t y office, 4531 State Road 776, Venice, where the hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Sarasota Police Department, the Venice Police Department and North Port Police Department also have permanent drop boxes in each of their lobbies and are participating in Saturday's event. Medication turn-in is always anonymous. Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medication such as tablets and capsules are accepted. While boxes at each location are available to the public year-round, the agencies participate in the national turn-in initiative to publicize the perma- nent option for proper disposal. Drug turn-in events address a vital public safety and pub- lic health issue. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, includ- i n g f r o m h o m e medicine cabinets. In addition, proper dis- posal of medication is safer for the environment, which is timely in recognition of Earth Day. NATIONAL DRUG TAKE-BACK EVENT PLANNED FOR APRIL 26 Sarasota News Leader April 25, 2014 Page 67