Police Fight Prescription Drug Addiction with Drug Drop-Off Kiosks
With the recent success of national drug drop-off days, many police departments and community departments are stepping up to make it easier for residents to get rid of their unused and unwanted prescription drugs all year-round. This not only helps decrease pollution in the water supply (many often dispose of unwanted medications by flushing them, thus poisoning the water supply) but it also does quite a bit for fighting prescription drug addiction.
In one small town, four local police stations have year-round kiosks available to residents for safe medication disposal. Said one coordinator for the program: “People need their awareness raised on the dangers of prescription drugs.”
How Do Drug Kiosks Fight Prescription Drug Addiction?
One of the primary ways in which teens first abuse prescription drugs is to find unused medications from old prescriptions in their parents’ cabinet. It’s exceedingly common: parents undergo dental surgery or receive medical care for an accident and are given a pain prescription to help them handle the resulting pain. As the discomfort fades, many stop taking the prescription and forget about them, leaving unused pills in their cabinet. Many don’t get rid of the extras either because they just don’t think about it or because they are unsure of how to do it safely. Unfortunately, this leaves copious amounts of dangerous medications lying around for curious teens to find.
On any given day, it’s not difficult to find a pharmacy near you that will accept unwanted and unused medications of any kind, addictive or non-addictive. It does take a little bit of asking around, however, and many don’t prioritize the errand. A kiosk makes the process easy and increases the chances that those with extra medications lying around will get around to disposing of them properly.
A Few Notes on Drug Kiosks
Though April 30 is the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, you don’t have to wait a year to get rid of unwanted meds. Here are a few things to know:
- There is a no-questions-asked policy at all drug drop-off kiosks. No one will ask for verification or how you got the medications in the first place.
- The drugs accepted typically include OTC medications, sample drugs, pet medications, supplements, vitamins, inhalers, capsules, pills, ointments, and liquids – as long as they are in leak-proof containers.
- Drop them off in their original prescription bottles with the names and prescription number blacked out or in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
- No needles, blood, aerosols, thermometers, infectious waste or medications from clinics or businesses will be accepted.
