By Tamas Mondovics
The Brandon Health and Rehabilitation Center, located on 1465 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, was pleased to join a list of locations throughout southeastern Hillsborough County that take part in the much welcomed public safety event, Operation Medicine Cabinet.
The ongoing effort, which provides the community an easy way to properly dispose of dangerous, outdated, unwanted prescription medicines and drugs has become a safety staple, locally organized by Home Instead Senior Care of Sun City, supported by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Since its inception in 2006, Operation Medicine Cabinet has collected more than 7,000 pounds of prescription drugs and medications, a number that continues to grow as more and more collection sites are offered and supported by the members of the community.
“Cleaning out your medicine cabinets is the best thing to do in order to be safe,” said Home Instead Senior Care Franchise Owner Kristi Campbell. “The goal is to stop the medication errors and keep everyone safe.”
Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, District 4 Master Deputy Curtis Warren, who makes every effort to be on hand to help with the collection, spoke highly of the community’s support as well as the importance and continuation of the program.
“Our goal and mission is to protect our residents, our families and our environment,” Warren said. “The biggest problem is that instead of proper disposal, residents end up flushing their old unused medications down the toilet or a drain.”
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity, including the one scheduled for Bloomingdale and surrounding area residents on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon at the Hillsborough County Parks Maintenance 2 parking lot located at 1626 Natures Way Dr. in Valrico.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has also installed permanent drug drop-off boxes at its four patrol district offices. The drop-off boxes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All drugs collected are taken to a county hazardous waste collection site for incineration.
For more information about HSCO, visit www.hcso.tampa.fl.us.
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