Recently our Milton Police department installed a brilliant red drop off box in front of the police station labeled, Drug Drop-Off. I had the pleasure of watching as they installed the box and then spoke with the police department about the box. The Milton Police department is the first agency in Rock County to offer this permanent, 24-hour, prescription drug drop-off. It is a mailbox-style drop box for unused prescription drugs.
My feeling on this is – this is a wonderful thing. This is a place where you can get rid of unused prescription drugs anonymously (if so desired). This certainly would have come in handy earlier this month as I and my siblings were trying to get rid of my mother’s unused prescription drugs following her untimely death July 5th. In Sheboygan County there is no drop box for drugs. Subsequently we struggled to find a good solution.
During a recent conversation I had with one of my staff members I learned that kids now days have what is called a “pharm” party. Kids raid their parent’s cabinets for unused prescription drugs; bring them to a party; place the drugs (unmarked – no bottles…) in a big bowl; stir the bowl and then grab a handful for consumption. I shudder to think of our youth involved in something like this and the detriment to their health, their minds and possibly their lives. God help them!
One concern shared with me was the security of this drop off box. Is it secure? Could someone break in and take the contents? In my conversation with the department they said, it’s as secure as it can be. The box is bolted to the ground and has been designed for this specific purpose (dropping off drugs). There is a camera trained on the box 24/7. The cost of the box, sans the bright red paint job and logos, was $650.00. Thought, function, security… have been well invested in this box. And the community is using it! Over 70lbs of prescription drugs were taken from the drop box the very first time the police department emptied it.
The proper disposal of the drugs is quite involved – much more than just flushing the pills down the toilet! The drugs are collected via the drop box. The local pharmacist volunteers his time to separate the collected drugs. Then they are boxed and shipped out (or flown out) to a drug disposal center.
If you, your family, your parents or grandparents have old, unused drugs in your bathroom cabinet and you don’t know what to do with them. Bring them in to the Milton Police Department. Let them help you to dispose of them appropriately.
All in all, way to go Milton Police Department! I like what you are doing in our community for the safety and concern of the people. God bless you and keep you.
Pastor Patrick
My feeling on this is – this is a wonderful thing. This is a place where you can get rid of unused prescription drugs anonymously (if so desired). This certainly would have come in handy earlier this month as I and my siblings were trying to get rid of my mother’s unused prescription drugs following her untimely death July 5th. In Sheboygan County there is no drop box for drugs. Subsequently we struggled to find a good solution.
During a recent conversation I had with one of my staff members I learned that kids now days have what is called a “pharm” party. Kids raid their parent’s cabinets for unused prescription drugs; bring them to a party; place the drugs (unmarked – no bottles…) in a big bowl; stir the bowl and then grab a handful for consumption. I shudder to think of our youth involved in something like this and the detriment to their health, their minds and possibly their lives. God help them!
One concern shared with me was the security of this drop off box. Is it secure? Could someone break in and take the contents? In my conversation with the department they said, it’s as secure as it can be. The box is bolted to the ground and has been designed for this specific purpose (dropping off drugs). There is a camera trained on the box 24/7. The cost of the box, sans the bright red paint job and logos, was $650.00. Thought, function, security… have been well invested in this box. And the community is using it! Over 70lbs of prescription drugs were taken from the drop box the very first time the police department emptied it.
The proper disposal of the drugs is quite involved – much more than just flushing the pills down the toilet! The drugs are collected via the drop box. The local pharmacist volunteers his time to separate the collected drugs. Then they are boxed and shipped out (or flown out) to a drug disposal center.
If you, your family, your parents or grandparents have old, unused drugs in your bathroom cabinet and you don’t know what to do with them. Bring them in to the Milton Police Department. Let them help you to dispose of them appropriately.
All in all, way to go Milton Police Department! I like what you are doing in our community for the safety and concern of the people. God bless you and keep you.
Pastor Patrick
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