Drug Free Manatee
BRADENTON — The Drug Enforcement Administration has long designated a day to dispose of unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs, but now Manatee County residents don't have to wait. There are multiple drug drop locations open year round.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, September 27. It's a day aimed at providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. It's also meant to educate the general public about the potential of abuse for medications.
Residents can now also dispose of their expired or unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications at seven permanent Rx drug disposal kiosks in Manatee County, with one additional on Longboat Key; all of them sponsored by the Manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition. So far this year, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has collected more than 700 pounds of prescription drugs at three locations.
Deaths from prescription painkillers nearly quadrupled between 1999 and 2001, according to the new information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. Researchers say there were more than 4,000 deaths linked to opioid drugs in 1999 and by 2001, the number jumped to 17,000.
Clearing your home of unused medications is an effective strategy to curb theft, reduce drug abuse, and prevent accidental poisonings. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose a potential hazard to humans and animals.
Do your part for a safe community and a clean environment!
Dispose of your medications at the following locations:
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
-600 301 Blvd. W, Suite 202, Bradenton [24/7]
-407 57th Ave E, Bradenton [Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm]
-5030 US 301 N, Ellenton [Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm]
City of Bradenton Police Dept.
-100 10th St W, Bradenton [24/7]
Bradenton Beach Police Dept.
-403 Highland Ave., Bradenton Beach [8am-4pm]
Holmes Beach Police Dept.
-5801 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach [7am-4pm]
Palmetto Police Dept.
-1115 10th St W, Palmetto [24/7]
Longboat Key Police Dept.
-5460 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key [Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm]
*Liquids and needles are not accepted.
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