JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TEAMING UP WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TAKE BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS & SYRINGES

Drugs can be dropped off no questions asked

                                                                              (FILE PHOTO)

[Madison, IN] – On October 26th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Jefferson County Health Department in partnership with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Madison Police Department will be hosting a disposal drop-off for prescriptions and syringes. Proper disposal of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs and syringes prevents theft and potential substance abuse. Bring your pills and/or syringes for disposal to the Jefferson County Health Department, 715 Green Rd., Madison, IN. The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Please remember you can also bring used syringes to the Jefferson County Health Department, 715 Green Rd., Madison, anytime during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm. Unused/unwanted medications can be dropped off anytime at the City of Madison Police Department or at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office during regular administration/lobby hours, Monday through Friday.