Drop-off box for unwanted medication now available at Redford Township Police station
Residents of Redford Township in Wayne County, Michigan, now have a year-round option for disposing of leftover or expired medication.
The Redford Township Police Department announced Tuesday in a press release that it has installed a permanent drug disposal kiosk in the lobby of the police station. This kiosk will be available 24/7 for residents to drop off unwanted prescription and over the counter medication.
The police department has long participated in the National Drug Take Back Day campaigns, and the new drop box expands that effort. Funding from the Opioid Settlement money distributed to Redford Township will pay for the box and service.
"We know that substance abuse is often intensified or increased because of unused medications in the home. This kiosk will help lessen the opportunities for these medications to get into the wrong hands or be misused," Chief Jennifer Mansfield said in her statement.
Supervisor Pat McRae also said he "is thrilled to support this project which is one more example of Redford Township's commitment to protect the community."
Items that can be disposed of through the drop box include pills, ointments, vitamins and patches, including pet medications. Medications can be left within their containers or in blister packs; officers ask only that personal identifying information be removed from the packages.
The kiosk cannot be used for needles, liquids or inhalers.
Once the box inside the kiosk is full, the unwanted medications will be shipped out for destruction in compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency standards.
The project is one of the steps that the police department is taking to help reduce substance use disorder.
The township police department also works with the Hope Not Handcuffs project to provide immediate assistance to those seeking resources for narcotic rehabilitation and education to the community and the families of those impacted by substance abuse disorder.
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