CHARLOTTE & SARASOTA COUNTIES, FL — Local law-enforcement agencies and community partners are stepping up for the latest national effort to intercept unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications. Residents in Sarasota and Charlotte counties are invited to safely dispose of such drugs at no cost, no questions asked, as part of the bi-annual campaign organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
In Sarasota County, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Sarasota Police Department are leading participation. The Sheriff’s Office will host drop-off at its headquarters lobby, offering an easy way for residents to clear out medicine cabinets of tablets, capsules and patches that could otherwise be diverted for misuse. Meanwhile, the Sarasota PD will accept turn-ins at its headquarters and at the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, emphasizing that this initiative is both a public-health and public-safety priority.
Across the county in Charlotte County, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has pointed to its permanent receptacles installed at its district offices in Englewood, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. These year-round drop sites complement the national Take-Back Day event and encourage community members to act any time. The City of Punta Gorda Fire Department is also accepting expired or unused medications, further expanding local disposal options.
The dual-county effort sends a clear message: leftover medications don’t belong in a bathroom cabinet or the trash. They pose an overdose risk, a theft risk and an environmental hazard if flushed or discarded improperly. The DEA’s official TakeBackDay website notes that more than 620,000 pounds of pills were collected nationwide in April 2025. DEA+1
For residents, participation is simple: bring your solid form medications (tablets, capsules, patches) to the listed drop-off locations during the designated hours. Liquids, syringes and sharps are typically not accepted. Many sites accept drop-offs year-round, so missing the scheduled event day doesn’t mean missing the opportunity to act. DEA+1
Community members are urged to help reduce the supply of unused medications that can find their way into the wrong hands. Clearing out unused pills isn’t just convenient — it’s a protective action for families, neighbors and the broader community.