Drop boxes useful for getting rid of old pills

While many of us might be aware that we shouldn’t toss pill bottles in the trash or flush medication down the toilet, we’re less knowledgeable about safe alternatives.

In the past decade, however, pharmacies, hospitals and law enforcement agencies have been stepping up to help clean out medicine cabinets year-round.

One of the most accessible solutions is medication collection bins, which are being added to convenient locations such as retail stores, health clinics, police stations and other easily accessed sites.

Drugstore chain CVS began putting units in police departments in 2014 and adding them to its more than 9,000 retail locations in 2017; so far it has deployed more than 4,000 of the bins. States are taking the initiative, as well.

In North Dakota the state’s Board of Pharmacy provides Medsafe, a take-back box, to any pharmacy that wants one; at this point, about 120 are participating.

The DEA maintains a searchable database of controlled-substance collection sites. Simply type in your Zip code or city to find the nearest one.

The bins work much like library or post office drop boxes, and the procedure is the same for most sites.

As an alternative, almost all medications can safely be thrown into household trash if you do so properly. Remove drugs from the original container and mix them with an undesirable substance such as coffee grounds, dirt or used kitty litter. This makes the medicine less attractive to kids and pets and unrecognizable to someone who might be digging through trash. Place the mixture in a sealable bag or other container.

Kurt Henke, ambulatory pharmacy manager for Colorado’s Denver Health hospital system, which has collection bins in each of its eight pharmacies, suggests putting used needles and/or syringes into empty, opaque plastic laundry bottles.

Then, throw the bottle into the garbage.

Pharmacists advise that each of us should pick a date — New Year’s Day, our birthday, the first day of spring or whenever, to inventory our medications and dispose of the ones we no longer need or that have expired. Help your elderly parents, relatives or friends do the same.

“If everyone does their part, takes the time and takes action,” Henke said, “it will help keep our families and our communities safer.”

LIZ O. BAYLEN/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS Collection bins can be found in convenient sites to get rid of old medications, such as these Oxycontin pills.