Properly disposing of unneeded prescription drugs is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety. A recent study showed that 7.4 percent of youths, ranging from 12 to 17 years old, reported non-medical use of prescription drugs during the past year. More than 70 percent of young people abusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends or family, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.
Law enforcement and addiction experts say the most common pattern for people to move on to illegal street drugs such as Heroin is through the abuse of opioid prescription drugs like Vicodin and oxycodone (OxyContin).
Citizens looking to dispose of excess and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications can now visit the safe and secure permanent drop off location in the lobby of the Darien Police Department located at 25 Hecker Ave. Needles and syringes cannot be placed in the disposal container.
Other reasons citizens should turn in their unused prescription drugs:
-Children and animals could be poisoned if they find and swallow drugs.
-Drugs are being scavenged and illegally sold.
-Unused pharmaceuticals are environmental toxins; flushing them down the toilet or sink can release them into our drinking water and soil.
The medication collection and disposal program provides a safe disposal location for citizens to properly dispose of unused household medications. Prescription drug drop boxes are only permitted to reside within police departments.
This program provides an environmentally safe alternative to disposing of medications in the landfill or sewer systems that may later negatively affect the environment. This program also encourages citizens to remove their unneeded medications from their homes. This reduces access to addictive medications for accidental or intentional misuse by children or others in the home.
The lobby of Darien Police Headquarters is open to the public 24 hrs. a day and prescription drugs can be dropped off anonymously for FREE with no questions asked!