February 5, 2016 – The Osseo Police Department is now accepting unwanted and unused medications from residents. The service is offered in collaboration with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Hennepin County Environment and Energy, North Memorial Medical Center, and Partnership for Change. The Osseo Police Department has set up a medicine drop box in its lobby located at 415 Central Ave. The box is an easy, environmentally safe way for Osseo area residents to safety dispose of unused prescription medications.
Osseo’s new Medicine Disposal box is heralded by (L to R) City Administrator Riley Grams, Councilmember Harold Johnson, Police Chief Shane Mikkelson, Mayor Duane Poppe, Councilmember Larry Stelmach
“Unfortunately, prescription drugs have become the target of theft and misuse, oftentimes by young people who have access to unwanted prescription pills,” said Osseo Chief of Police Shane Mikkelson. “The drop box will offer a service to the residents of Osseo to help remove these drugs from their homes.”
Why is proper medicine disposal important?
About 10 percent of the pharmaceuticals dispensed in the U.S. are controlled substances. Controlled substances include anabolic steroids, narcotics, stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens that have a potential for abuse and physical and psychological dependence. Although patients can possess controlled substances, they cannot lawfully transfer a controlled substance to another person or entity for any purpose. For example, patients cannot return controlled substances to pharmacies, even though pharmacies dispense them.
“Do not become the drug supplier to your teenager or anyone else. Secure the medicine that you need in a safe place and properly dispose of expired or unused medications to help reduce the risk of addiction and improper use.” –Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek
Medicine disposal boxes are a way to keep unused prescription drugs out of the wrong hands and protect children from poisoning. Household prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/supplements, and pet medications will be accepted. No needles, sharps or syringes will be accepted. After medicines are collected, they will be taken to an incinerator where they will be destroyed.
When is the service available?
The Osseo Drop Box is accessible in a secure and monitored location Monday through Thursday 7:30am until 5:00PM and Friday 7:30AM until 11:30AM.
Visit http://www.hennepin.us/medicine for list of all the medicine drop box locations in Hennepin County and information on frequently asked questions regarding the medicine disposal program.
