Police unveil prescription dropoff box

Beacon Pharmacy, 294 Main Street, Winsted, donated the cost of the medical dropoff box.

WINSTED >> Winchester Police Department, with the assistance of State Representative Jay Case and the Beacon Pharmacy, recently partnered to implement the Medical Prescription Drop Off Program. Beacon Pharmacy, 294 Main Street, Winsted, donated the cost of the medical drop off box, which is now located in the main lobby of the police headquarters. The Winchester Police Department will be having an unveiling ceremony today at 8:30 a.m. The drop off program focuses on alleviating the health and safety concerns of prescription medications by helping communities properly dispose of them. The program is designed to significantly reduce prescription drugs in American homes that are either no longer needed or outdated.

These same drugs, unfortunately, have become the target of theft and misuse, often times by people who have access to the residence, police said in a statement. America’s 12 to 17-year-olds have made prescription drugs the number one substance of abuse for their age group, and much of that supply is unwittingly coming from the medicine cabinets of their parents, grandparents, and friends.

“More and more adults recognize the need to remove these substances from the home and legally and safely turn them over to law enforcement for proper chain of custody and court ordered destruction,” the statement continues. “Law enforcement is the only entity legally able to accept these medications and process them properly so that they do not fall into the wrong hands. Law enforcement takes control of and destroys drugs on a regular basis as part of their regular operations. These boxes are secured in the lobby of the police department, and are accessible anytime the department is open. No questions are asked, just drop the unwanted medications in and they will be safely and securely destroyed,” police said.

Preparing items for disposal at a drop off box:

All pharmaceutical drugs that are being disposed must to be in a sealed container such as the original bottle or a zip-lock bag. Liquid pharmaceuticals should remain in the original container. Personal information should be removed or blotted out with a permanent marker.

Acceptable items include over-the-counter medications, prescription medications including those for pets, medication samples, lotions or ointments. Items not accepted: Open containers of liquid will not be accepted unless they are completely sealed. Syringes must not be placed into the drop box. Hazardous waste, thermometers and personal care products are also not accepted. For information, call the police department at 860-3792721.