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Drug Drop-off Site Provides Environment-Friendly Method to Dispose of Medications

The Millersville University Police Department is offering free drug drop-offs at their office on North George Street.

The drug drop-off box keeps our community safe and our environment clean.

If you or someone you know is looking to dispose of their unwanted or unused prescription drugs, look no further. The Millersville University Police Department (MUPD) is offering free drug drop-offs at their office on North George Street.

For years, proper drug-disposal methods have been tossed around and debated by the FDA and environmental groups alike. Throwing unwanted or unneeded prescription medication pills in the trash can harm the environment and puts children and pets at risk. Flushing pills keeps them out of reach of children, but can potentially pollute water supplies.

The FDA’s website states that “medicine take-back programs for disposal are a good way to remove expired, unwanted or unused medicines from the home and reduce the chance that others may accidentally take the medicine.

”However, not everything is accepted at the drug drop-off site at the Millersville Police Station, however. Prescriptions, prescription patches, medications, prescription ointments, vitamins, samples and pet medication are all acceptable. Intravenous solutions, injectables, needles, hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers and ointments, lotions and liquids are not, and will not be accepted.

Though Police Chief Pete Anders credits the drop-off box in Millersville to Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman and Assistant District Attorney Bob Smulktis, Smulktis deflected all credit back to Anders.

“Anders deserves all the credit for bringing the prescription drop box program to Millersville University,” said Smulktis. “He heard about our program and saw an opportunity to help the University community address the serious dangers associated with prescription drug abuse.”

Dropping off medications at the drop-box is as easy as could be. Simply stop by the police station between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on any weekday, approach the (pictured) drop box just inside the lobby, and put your medications inside. No questions, no forms and no meetings with any officers or staff.

“The drop-off site has to be at a secure police facility,” said Anders. “We are accessible to students and our neighboring community after hours by calling for an officer to meet at the station.”

According to Anders, the drop-off box helps provide a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of medications that otherwise could end up in our water supply.

“I think this is a really neat way change a habit that we may not even think about,” said Anders.

 

One reply on “Drug Drop-off Site Provides Environment-Friendly Method to Dispose of Medications”

What a great job of getting this drop off box in our area. there are others around the county but none so close to home. Thanks chief Anders!

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