Sheriff to Collect Unwanted Prescription Drugs April 27

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office will partner with the U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration on April 27 for the sixth national prescription drug take-back initiative, according to a Sheriff's news release. 

An extension of the county’s Medication Waste Disposal Program, the national initiative helps residents with the safe disposal of potentially dangerous controlled substances or other unused and expired pharmaceuticals. 

In April of 2012, Carroll crime scene technicians prepared a record 803 pounds of disposed medications for destruction.

The Carroll County Medication Waste Disposal Program began during 2009 as a partnership between the Board of Carroll County Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office to provide the public with an environmentally safe alternative to disposing of medications in area landfill or sewer systems while reducing the opportunity for unauthorized access to dangerous and addictive medications through accidental contact or deliberate abuse, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The medications are removed by Sheriff’s Office crime scene technicians from secure collection boxes located at the Sykesville Police Department, the Taneytown Police Department, the Westminster Police Department and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Northern Satellite Office. Collection boxes are clearly marked for identification and include instructions for citizens.

Any unwanted or expired medication, both prescription and over the counter, in tablet, liquid, ointment, inhaler, powder or patch form will be accepted.

Syringes, needles, thermometers, bandages, gauze pads, sun block, lipstick, deodorant, non-prescription skin crème and similar products will not be accepted.

Loose pills or tablets as well as any liquid medication must be placed into a sealed plastic bag prior to dropping into a collection box. 

Information in this article taken from a Carroll County Sheriff's Office news release.

See Also:

• Sheriff's Office Incinerates 802 Pounds of Prescription Drugs
• Carroll County Encourages Residents Not To Rush To Flush