 They are in your home, sitting in your medicine cabinets, expired, unused and perhaps forgotten. Unfortunately, when they fall into the wrong hands, the consequences can be tragic. They are: prescription drugs. It is a little known fact that the illegal use of prescription drugs like Oxycodone and Xanax has now exceeded the abuse of dangerous, illegal drugs like cocaine and marijuana. Often times these drugs end up in the hands of our youth because they are so easily accessible. In one survey, 64-percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 said they obtain prescription drugs from their home or the home of a relative or friend. The drugs then may end up being used; or sold on the street, causing more dependency and addiction. In an effort to raise public awareness and to work together to combat this alarming trend, our Narcotics Diversion Unit is tackling the problem on various fronts and through the development of various community and law enforcement partnerships. First, the Narcotics Diversion Unit is planning its third Operation Medicine Cabinet from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. Operation Medicine Cabinet invites private citizens to bring unused or expired medications (no bio-hazards or needles) to various drop-off locations in their community for safe disposal. The effort is one way that the community can actively reduce prescription drug abuse, by removing the source from their homes and from within reach. The Sheriff's Office locations for this round of Operation Medicine Cabinet are the Sweet Bay Supermarkets located at:
The St. Petersburg Police Department will receive medications at the Sweet Bay Supermarkets at:
Additional locations may be added. Please check our website at www.pcsoweb.com and use the "News Release" function for updated information. Secondly, our office is pleased to have recently become a part of Newspapers In Education, an effort to bring teens and their parents information, tools, and resources that will help prevent prescription drug abuse, sound the alarm to warning signs, and provide options and guidance to finding help. Newspapers In Education will be delivered as a St. Petersburg Times insert to middle and high schools across the county. The first edition, expected to be released this month, also tackles related problems like gangs and bullying. Our partners in Newspapers In Education include the St. Petersburg Times, LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County and Pinellas County Safe, and Drug Free Schools. On the law enforcement side, our work remains steady and strong. Our Diversion Unit, along with the St. Petersburg Police Department, recently wrapped up "Operation Pill Poppers," a ten month long investigation targeting suspects who obtained various types of prescription pills through fraudulent means, doctor shopping and trafficking. Detectives identified a total of 74 suspects. The pills obtained had a street value of $750,000. So far 36 of those suspects have been arrested. Other local law enforcement agencies are joining our Diversion Unit in the fight against the problem of prescription drug abuse. It is our hope that the combined efforts of public education and law enforcement will serve to make our community stronger and safer. |