Operation Medicine Cabinet project next week
It’s time to gather up all of your unused or expired medication. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Florida Crime Prevention Association, K-consulting, Abby Services, Brookdale Senior Living, CVS Pharmacy and Old Navy for “Operation Medicine Cabinet,” the latest installment of the Pharmaceutical Take Back Program. Five locations will be available to drop off your old, unused prescription and over the counter medications for proper disposal.
Make plans to be at one of the following locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
1) Monday, Feb. 7, from at the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Offices located in the Shell Factory at 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, #10, North Fort Myers.
2) Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Winn-Dixie located at 1145 Homestead Road, North, Lehigh Acres.
3) Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office West District Substation at 15650 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers.
4) Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Regal Cinemas Gulf Coast Town Center at 10028 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers.
Culminating in one large event on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Old Navy located in Page Field Commons, located at 4995 South Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers.
At this location we will have many displays and vendors such as the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit, K-9 Unit, Abby Services, K-consulting, Brookdale Senior Living, Department of Environmental Protection, Lee Elder Abuse Prevention Partnership, Delta Family Counseling, Mobile Veterinarian, Lee Memorial Blood Mobile, McGruff the Crime Dog, and much, much more.
Every day in the United States approximately 2,500 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 abuse prescription drugs for the first time. The Lee County Sheriff’s office is taking a proactive stance in removing and properly disposing of unused medications and needles. This can keep them from falling into the wrong hands and also prevent the drugs from being flushed down the toilet which poses an environmental danger.
Back in November, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office hosted an Operation Medicine Cabinet which resulted in the collection of over 57,000 pills, 50 liquids, 107 creams, 71 syringes, 500 patches, 598 inhalers and 44 powders; these included prescription and over the counter medications.
There is no cost to turn in your medications and all participants will remain anonymous.