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Date: 09/12/13 Revision: 08/28/19 Reviewed: 08/30/24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 504.025 Page: 1 of 3 SUBJECT: MEDICATION DROP BOXES I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this s tandard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the operation , placement and use of Medication Drop Boxes placed in Sheriff’s Office facilities. II. SCOPE: This procedure shall apply to all Medication Drop Boxes located within Sheriff's Office properties . III. DISCUSSION: The Medication Drop Boxes program is intended for individual members of the public to dispose of unwanted or expired medications with anony mity. The medication drop boxes will be located at each of the four district of fices within the county. The program is not intended for commercial use. No prescription drug items will be accepted from doctor ’s offices, pharmacies, medical facilities, or other law enforcement agencies wit hout prior approval from the Shift Commander o f the affected district office. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Medicatio n drop box - a secured container available to the public, used to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medication. V. PROCEDURES: The general public is encouraged t o bring their unwante d or expired prescription medication(s) to the front desk lobby of the HCSO District Offices for di sposal . Upon receiving the drug item(s): A. The Administrative Desk D eputy shall visually observe the medication(s) to ensure the agency can accept the i tems for disposal. Rubber gloves sh all be worn while handl ing drugs, when appropriate. When a desk deputy is unavailable, a CSA may visually inspect the containers before the items are deposited into the Drop Box. B. The Administrative Desk D eputy is not re quired to collect information from the citizen. For safety and to prevent contact exposure, personnel shall not open pill bottles or packaging unless suspicion exists that there is something other th an prescription medication in the container (s). The des k deputy shall adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Ensure medication s are properly stored in an acceptable container. An acceptable container is described as a ny container that is sealed. (Pill bottle, sealable plastic bag , etc.) GEN 504.025 08/25/21 Page 2 of 3 2. Secure loose items in a container or bag prior to being placed into the Medication Drop Box. 3. Open the drop box door and deposit the items(s) . C. Desk deputies must inspect liquid medications to ensure they are properly sealed . Packaging or duct tape may be used to secure th e cap, if necessary. Sealable p lastic bags will be used as an additio nal measure to prevent leakage . D. Prescription labels may be removed by the citizen prior to discarding the medication, if desired . E. Acceptable items for the Medication Drop Box: 1. Pill bottles 2. Boxes and/ or packaged drug items 3. Patches 4. Powders 5. Liquids (properly sealed) 6. Inhalers 7. Veterinarian Prescription Drugs F. Items not acceptable for the Medication Drop Box : 1. Syringes 2. EpiPens 3. Biohazards 4. Medical equipment 5. Any drug i tems from a narcotic or death invest igation 6. Any illegal str eet drugs (Refer to GEN 504.02) G. Medication Drop Box Collection : 1. Medication Drop Box keys will be maintained by each District Commander. 2. The Administrative Desk Deputy or CSA shall periodically ch eck the level of medications in the Drop Box by slightly opening the deposit door. This will allow a partial view. 3. The respective District Shift Commander will designate and witness a sworn law enforcement deputy remove, impound, and secure all medication collected from Dro p Boxes into a cardboard container. Itemi zation is not necessary. The container will be sealed with evidence tape and signed with initials and ABN by the impounding deputy and Shift Commander. The impounding deputy will create a Propert y Report in Versadex using the original SID Pharmaceutical Diversion Detective’s case number. The items shal l be designated as “miscellaneous drugs” and the status shall be listed as “found.” The corresponding bar code will be attached to the container and secured in the district evidence locker. 4. The Evidence Cont rol Section will take possession of the container during the weekly property pick -up. 08/25/21 GEN 504.025 Page 3 of 3 H. Documentation 1. The SID Pharmaceutical Diversion Detective will generate a case number at the start of e very calendar year which will be used to document the weight of items collected from each District Medicatio n Drop Box. 2. Deputies will supplement this case number when impounding collected medication and notate the corresponding District Drop Box. I. Location of Medication Drop Boxes 1. Each Medication Drop Box wi ll be housed in a public area of each district office , within view of the desk deputy. 2. The Medication Drop Boxes shall be secured with a locking device for