Police To Take In Expired Prescription Drugs on Saturday

This Saturday, the Anne Arundel County Police Department will again participate in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative. The initiative, supervised by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will coordinate an effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets.

This 13th national “take-back day” will provide an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction.

The one-day effort will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. The program provides an opportunity for law enforcement, prevention, treatment and the business community to establish a safe collection site for all Americans, regardless of where they reside.

In addition, the Police Department will showcase its drop boxes in each district station and police headquarters. These boxes have been installed to assist the public in disposing of unused or unwanted medications year-round.

They will also allow citizens to dispose of these medications at their convenience in a safe and secure environment. The same collection protocols established for the pill take-back initiative will be in effect for the drop boxes.

Collection Day Rules

• On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Anne Arundel County Police Department will have a police representative at each of the county’s four districts and police headquarters, which will serve as collection sites:

• Police Headquarters, 8495 Veterans Highway, Millersville
• Northern District, 939 Hammonds Lane, Baltimore
• Eastern District, 204 Pasadena Road, Pasadena
• Western District, 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
• Southern District, 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater

• Controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter substances may be collected.
• This program is anonymous and no requests for identification will be made.
• Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box. If an original container is submitted, the individual should be encouraged to remove any identifying information from the prescription label.
• All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers may be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
• Intravenous solutions, injectibles and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. If an individual attempts to surrender an illicit controlled substance, law enforcement personnel should handle such material as abandoned property in accordance with department policy.
• All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process.

For additional information regarding the National Take-Back Initiative and drug disposal, please visit the DEA website.