David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider, is encouraging community members to safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications through its Operation Medicine Cabinet participation.

Operation Medicine Cabinet is part of a county-wide initiative that was established by Drug Free Collier as a proactive effort to promote the proper disposal of unused or expired medications. The program is free and open to the public. The service is not available for commercial use.

Community members can dispose of medications in a drop box located in the Building C lobby on the DLC main campus, located at 6075 Bathey Lane in Naples. Medications can be dropped off between 7:40 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:40 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. Prescriptions, vitamins, prescription ointments, pet medications, prescription patches, and over-the-counter medications are accepted. Prior to drop-off, community members must remove any personal information from the medication packaging. They must also firmly seal the pill bottle, packaging or plastic bag to avoid spilling.

Needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, lotions or liquids, and hydrogen peroxide are not accepted. Medications are safely disposed of by incineration. DLC contracts with a pharmacist with specialized training in handling the medications and ensures the safety and confidentiality of all participants.

“We are proud to be a part of the Operation Medicine Cabinet program, ensuring that community members have a safe way to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications,” said Scott Burgess, CEO of David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health. “It is crucial that any household medication is disposed of properly to reduce the risk of transferring possession or being mistakenly ingested. The safety of our community is top priority, and this initiative is key to making sure they are handled efficiently and correctly.”

Community members are discouraged from flushing medicine down the toilet or pouring it down the drain, as it can interfere with operations at wastewater treatment facilities and be harmful for the environment.

Operation Medicine Cabinet is funded by the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Developed in 1997, the CFBHN is the largest managing entity in the state and is responsible for managing a network of publicly funded behavioral health services, including treatment and prevention services for children and adults, across 14 counties across the west coast.

For more than 50 years, DLC has been committed to ensuring behavioral health care is available to everyone in need through education, prevention, intervention and treatment. DLC delivers care throughout the community through six distinct centers of operation, including mental health, addiction recovery, emergency services, awareness and prevention, virtual care, and children and young adults.

To learn more about the lifesaving and life-changing services and programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org

About David Lawrence Centers 

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents, and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves 9,000 people through over 341,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.