Pill drop off day Saturday in Manatee

Spring cleaning? Don't forget to clean out those medicine cabinets.

Leftover prescription pills are a hot item for burglars, according to sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow.

To help in the safe disposal of  leftover pills, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office will  participate in the second annual Drug Enforcement Administration’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The two locations in Manatee are the sheriff's office's District 3 office, 4940 U.S. 301 in Ellenton, and the Crime Prevention Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., in Bradenton.

"This prescription drug problem isn't going away. It's becoming more and more prevalent," Bristow said. "So any help we can get to get prescription drugs off the streets is a good thing, and obviously if people have them in the house, they can become potential targets for a burglar."

Last year, people turned in 242,000 pounds or 121 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 drop off sites around the country, according to a media release.

Residents can also drop off unused prescription drugs, 24 hours a day, at the front desk of the main office, 600 301 Blvd. W.

Bristow said about seven to eight pounds of pills are taken from that location every week and calls the drop-off program a success.

For more information on the drop-off program, residents can call (941) 747-3011, ext. 2278.