Meeker County, Minn., drug take-back yields 18 lbs., box takes in 40 lbs.
LITCHFIELD -- Meeker County officials collected 17.87 pounds of unused medication in the local portion Saturday of a national campaign effort of taking back old and unused prescription medication.
According to a news release from Sheriff Jeff Norlin, the drugs were received during a four-hour period Saturday and will be incinerated at an approved facility.
"The sheer volume of medications collected in these four-hour take back programs is only one of the reasons the Sheriff's Office has participated in our local 24/7 "Take it to The Box" medication disposal program," Norlin said. This is an excellent way to get rid of medications so they do not get into the wrong hands or become stolen and abused. Proper disposal also ensures the medications or the compounds thereof do not end up in our water systems and environment.
The Meeker County Sheriff's Office, Meeker County Public Health, and LAARP, sponsor the "Take it to the Box" local program, with the deposit box located at the entrance of the Sheriff's Office at the Law Enforcement Center in Litchfield. The collection box is available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
In the first few weeks of this program, more than 40 pounds of medication has been turned in. Please note that medication will be accepted in its original container, or otherwise removed and bagged for deposit. Please also remove name or other personal identifying information.
Liquid products such as cough syrup should remain in its original container and no illicit, sharps, needles, syringes, IV solutions or other such items will be accepted.
