Milton Police Station Provides Safe Drop-off Spot for Old Medications

For people who are looking for place to dispose of old medications, besides tossing the bottles in the garbage can or flushing them down the toilet, Milton Police Sergeant Chuck Caputo has the answer.

Caputo also has the same answer for residents who have noticed the green, metal drop-box labeled, Med Return, in the lobby of the .

The box is a drug collection unit for residents, who would like to dispose of expired or unwanted medications,

Caputo, who is in charge of emptying the unit every two of three months and transporting the contents to an incinerator, said the program began last summer. Prior to that the Drug Enforcement Agency organized quarterly collection events at local police stations.

Now, most departments have their own boxes.

Caputo said the unit is under the jurisdiction of the Milton Public Health Department and needed to be stored at a secure location that is open 24 hours a day, like the Milton Police Station.

As of now, the unit brings in 60 to 70 pounds of old medication per drop-off, according to Caputo.

Below is a list of acceptable and unacceptable items for the Med Return Drug Collection Unit at the Milton Police Station.

Acceptable

• Prescriptions
• Over the Counter Medications
• Vitamins
• Medications for Pets
• Ointments
• Lotions
• Liquid Medications in glass or leak-proof containers

Unacceptable

• Needles (Sharps)
• Thermometers
• Bloody or Infectious Waste
• Medications from Businesses or Clinics
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Aerosol Cans
• Inhalers