CULLMAN – If you have some old prescription drugs stored away at home, be sure to take advantage of the drug drop off box at the Cullman Police Department to dispose of unneeded, unused or outdated medications.
Sergeant David Nassetta said that the way the box originated was through a grant. “We obtained it through a grant done by CVS Pharmacy. We applied for the grant and they did a little background research.” Nassetta said that the closest drug drop off boxes to Cullman were south of Montgomery and even as far as Scottsboro. “We didn’t have anything like that in this area. They provided the box and some of the advertising. We provide the collection point,” Nassetta said. The drug drop off box is located in the breezeway between the investigation and administration buildings at the police department.
The medications collected at the drop off box have to be stored in the evidence room at the Cullman Police Department until they are picked up by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to be incinerated. Twice a year the DEA has a nationally advertised program for people to turn in unused or unneeded medication. Instead of waiting on these two days out of the year, now the community has a local drug drop off box that can be used at all times. “Now it can be done at any time which is a lot more convenient for the community,” Nassetta said.
The CPD has had the drug drop off box for a couple of months. They got it around the end of September and so far a total of 24.4 pounds of prescription drugs have been collected. Each time the department empties the contents of the box, they weigh it and add it to a separate storage container in the evidence room. “The box can only be emptied by a sworn in officer. It is controlled and locked up in the evidence room, then turned over to the DEA to be incinerated,” Nassetta said. It is stored for about 6 months and incinerated twice a year by the DEA.
Anyone can drop off any prescription medication and over the counter medication; however, the CPD asks that you do not drop off syringes, needles, or anything in large glass bottles and containers. Also, Nassetta said that pharmacies have called to see if they can drop off their out of date items; however, it is not a receptacle for pharmacies or commercial waste.
Nassetta encourages the use of the drug drop off box. “We don’t want the unused medication sitting around in homes. Sometimes people keep medication longer than they need it because they paid money for it or think they might need it for future use.” Unfortunately this could result in the medication getting in the hands of children. It also has the potential to fall into the hands of abusers. With the drug drop off box, these dangerous situations can be avoided. “If you aren’t using it, don’t save it,” Nassetta advised. If anyone has any questions regarding the drug drop off box, call the Cullman Police Department at 256-734-1434.
