Charles County Sheriff's Office Joins DEA in "Medication Take Back Initiative"
LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 23, 2010)—This Saturday, September 25, the Charles County Sheriff's Office is joining forces with the DEA, the Maryland Sheriff's Association, the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and other organizations for the "National Medications Take Back Initiative" - a program designed to encourage people to dispose of their unwanted, unused and expired medications in a safe and proper manner. Residents can simply take unused medicines to any of the Sheriff's Office three district stations between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and officers will ensure the medicines are disposed of safely.
Why It Matters
Prescription drugs, like Oxycontin and Percocet, are popular among teens and illegal drug users and crimes involving illegal use of prescription medications are a problem. But, disposing of unwanted, expired or seized medications is tricky since the medications are classified as toxic substances and could harm the environment if flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash. The medication inevitably makes its way into our water system and the contamination cannot be completely eliminated through the water treatment process.
Although the event on Saturday is part of a nation-wide effort among law enforcement agencies to highlight the importance of proper medicine disposal, residents in Charles County can actually drop off unwanted medications at any of the Sheriff's Office three district stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year long. Last April, Sheriff Rex W. Coffey made the program available full-time, giving people the flexibility to dispose of unused medicines at a time that's convenient for them. "This program is an environmentally friendly, safe, and cost-effective way in which local residents can safely get rid of medications they no longer use," said Sheriff Coffey.
How The Program It Works
Simply take the medicine to any of the Charles County Sheriff's Office district stations located in Waldorf, La Plata or Indian Head, remove personal information from the container, and drop the medicines in a locked box located in the station's lobby. The Sheriff's Office will take the medicines to a hazardous waste incinerator where they will be disposed. The Sheriff's Office accepts prescription and non-prescription medication, pet medication and vitamins. Tablets, capsules, and all other solid dosage forms can be collected but intravenous solutions, injectibles, and syringes will not be accepted. There is no need to fill out paperwork.
Charles County Sheriff's Office district stations are located at:
District I
La Plata
6855 Crain Highway
La Plata, MD 20646
301-932-2222
District II
Indian Head
4401 Indian Head Hwy.
Indian Head, MD 20640
301-743-2222
District III and District IV
Waldorf
3670 Leonardtown Road
Waldorf, MD 20601
301-932-7777
Source: Charles County Sheriff's Office