Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver installed the new drug collection unit at the sheriff’s office this week. Photo by Kellie Singleton.

For those who want to safely dispose of outdated or unused prescription medication, Franklin County will now have a secure way to do this year round.

Thanks to a grant from CVS/pharmacy, in conjunction with The Medicine Abuse Project and The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, this week the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a drug collection unit as part of the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program.

The unit has been placed in the administration building at the Franklin County Detention Center and will be available for use by the public each day from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

“We are pleased to support the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department with a drug collection unit,” said Mike DeAngelis, public relations director for CVS/pharmacy.

“As part of our on-going commitment to combat prescription drug abuse, we have participated in events for many years with law enforcement to help safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted medication.

“Through this donation program, CVS/pharmacy and The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids will now provide our communities throughout the country with a permanent drug disposal solution at their local police departments.”

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which holds national Drug Take Back Days during the year, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Since Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards, it’s important to have a safer way to dispose of these medications.

“The abuse of prescription medications is one of the biggest problems we have,” Sheriff Shannon Oliver said.

“When people have unused medications that are just sitting in their cabinets, they become a liability. If prescription medications are taken out of the home, that lessens the chance for someone to misuse or abuse these products.

“Over the years, we have had people come to us after a family member has died or just because and ask us what they can do to safely get rid of these medications.

“We’ve participated in the DEA’s Drug Take Back Days in the past, but this drug collection unit is a great option for us to offer this service to Franklin County’s citizens all the time.

“When CVS officials contacted us about this program, we knew submitting an application to receive one of these units would be beneficial for the whole county.”

Oliver said the FCSO will collect the prescriptions, weigh them, and them dispose of them properly.

Medications that will be accepted include: prescriptions, prescription pills, prescription patches, prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples, and medications for pets. Only non-controlled drugs and schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances can be accepted.

Items that will not be accepted include: inhalers; aerosol cans; ointments, lotions or liquids; hydrogen peroxide; medication from businesses or clinics; needles (sharps), and thermometers.