Safe Option Now Available for Homebound Residents to Dispose of Prescription Medications

                                                                                                               NEWS RELEASE #: 16-215 - NOVEMBER 29, 2016

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is partnering with Drug Free Sarasota and the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) to offer a prescription medication disposal alternative to homebound residents.

The Deterra Drug Activation System allows individuals to put their medication in a bag containing a carbon that bonds to pharmaceutical compounds when water is added. The user adds water and shakes it up to neutralize the active ingredient in the drug before disposing the biodegradable bag in the convenience of their home.

Deterra pouches can be picked up at the following Sarasota County locations while supplies last: William L. Little Health & Human Services Center, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; North Port Health Center, 6950 Outreach Way, North Port; Robert L. Anderson County Administration Center Environmental Health Office, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice; or the Sarasota County Government Complex Environmental Health Office, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota.

Citizens are still encouraged to drop off their unwanted/unused prescription medications in one of two permanent drop boxes located in the lobbies of the sheriff's office north and south locations, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, and 4531 State Road 776, Venice. Both are accessible to the public seven days a week; 24 hours a day in Sarasota and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., in Venice. Since 2009, more than 19,000 pounds of unused and expired medication has been collected in Sarasota County.

For more information about the safe disposal initiative, contact Kameroon Boykins, Drug Free Sarasota, at 941.552.2078.