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Pinellas collecting unused, expired narcotics

By TBO.com

Published: November 14, 2009

Pinellas law enforcement is collecting unused prescription narcotics as part of an ongoing effort to fight drug abuse.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and St. Petersburg Police Department are partnering for Operation Medicine Cabinet, which gives residents a chance to drop off unused or expired prescription medications for safe disposal. There more than a half-dozen collection sites in Pinellas County.

Prescription drugs are the number one abused drug in the United States, now surpassing all other illicit drugs, according to a news release. In Pinellas County, prescription drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death after automobile crashes.

"The first Operation Medicine Cabinet, which was held in May of this year, was very successful, "said Narcotics Unit Captain Bob Alfonso. "We collected over a ton of prescription medications."

The program provides a safe way of destroying the pharmaceuticals through incineration.

Drop off sites are collecting medication through 2 p.m. today:

• Kmart (west parking lot), 7949 113 Street N, Seminole

• The Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay, 1255 Pasadena Ave South, South Pasadena

• Sweetbay Supermarket, 1681 Main Street, Dunedin

• Walmart, 3801 Tampa Road, Oldsmar

• Sweetbay Supermarket, 1794 22nd Street S., St. Petersburg

• Sweetbay Supermarket, 7491 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg

• Sweetbay Supermarket, 6095 Ninth Avenue N., St. Petersburg

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