Manatee County to receive 10,000 drug neutralizing pouches to counteract opioid epidemic

MANATEE -- Manatee County will be one of four Florida communities that will receive 10,000 pouches specially designed to neutralize medicines so they can be safely thrown away.

The Manatee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, locally known as Drug Free Manatee, will participate in a nationwide pilot program called the Deterra System that allows residents to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription pills at their home.

Up to 90 pills can be placed in a specially designed pouch that neutralizes drugs when it is filled halfway with warm water and shaken. The chemical process deactivates prescription drugs and renders them ineffective for abuse so they can be safely thrown away, according to a release.

"We are honored to be part of this pilot program," said Sharon Kramer, director of Drug Free Manatee. "We believe it will help our efforts in further combating the opioid epidemic here in Manatee County."

Manatee County will receive 10,000 of the pouches to distribute to the community. Hillsborough, Seminole and Collier counties were also selected for the pilot program.

The Deterra System complements Drug Free Manatee's 'Secure, Monitor and Dispose' campaign, which asks Manatee residents to keep track of their prescribed medicines and dispose of them properly. There are permanent disposal sites at the following locations:

Manatee County Sheriff's Office

600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 202, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

407 57th Ave. E., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5030 US 301 N, Ellenton, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City of Bradenton Police Dept.

100 10th St. W., 24 hours, seven days a week.

Holmes Beach Police Department

5801 Marina Dr., Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bradenton Beach Police Dept.

403 Highland Ave., Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Palmetto Police Dept.

1115 10th St W, 24/7

Longboat Key Police Dept.

5460 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Manatee County to receive 10,000 drug neutralizing pouches to counteract opioid epidemic ."