Although National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has come and gone, individuals have the opportunity to safely dispose of prescription drugs at all times through the Madison Police Department.
Each year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosts two days of a drug take back initiative. The goal is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way for individuals to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating on prescription drug safety and the potential for drug abuse. The Madison Police Department has participated in this initiative run by the Diversion Control Division for over 10 years.
“The DEA does it nationwide across the United States and utilizes police departments as partners to help them,” Captain Kevin Newman said. “The Diversion Unit tries to get unwanted, unused drugs that could possibly be abused out of circulation. The best way to get those out of circulation is to ask those people to come to these events and dispose of them.”
The drugs that the DEA is trying to obtain include unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Newman said people will often stockpile, forget about, or leave these drugs in their cabinets unaware of the potential harm they could cause. Disposing of these drugs is important to preventing abuse.
“It prevents people who are not authorized or prescribed the medication from coming into contact with it,” Newman said. “We, like all communities, see drugs in the community and sometimes instead of illegal drugs, we see abuse of prescription drugs. This is one way we can prevent the abuse of prescription drugs, and we can get those unwanted, unused or expired medications out of circulation and out of the potential of being abused.”
Police Chief Gene Waldrop echoed the importance of giving citizens a way to properly dispose of their prescription drugs.
“In addition to a proper disposal, it is a safeguard to keeping harmful medications from children, abuse of drugs and the selling of unused narcotic medication,” Waldrop said.
In addition to preventing the problems that can arise with stockpiling prescription drugs, Newman said it also provides an easier way to dispose of the drugs. He said many medications cannot be flushed down the toilet or put down the sink, and it creates the risk of not properly disposing of the drugs.
“This is the proper way to dispose of them because the DEA takes them at the end of all these events and properly incinerates and disposes of them,” Newman said.
If you missed the National Drug Take Back days this year, the Madison Police Department has a way you can dispose of your unwanted prescriptions 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Through a cooperative program with CVS, the Madison Police Department has a secure drop box in its lobby.
“Anybody can come in and drop off medications,” Newman said.
Waldrop said that any pills, tablets and capsules are welcomed at any time to be disposed of. He said, for easy handling, remove and keep the identifying label and place the drugs in a ziplock container. No identification is required either when disposing of prescription drugs. The removal of the label also ensures your privacy. Liquids, lotions, ointments, needles, thermometers, inhalers and aerosol cans are not accepted.
The 24/7 secure drug drop box is located in the police department’s lobby at 2001 Main Street in Madison.
