The City of Cleveland’s Police Department has teamed up with the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and placed a Pharmaceutical Take-Back Collection Box in the Police Department’s front lobby accessible to residents.
The box will be used for the collection and proper disposal of unused medications similar to a mailbox. Residents will have one-way access to dispose of unused, expired, or unwanted medications in a safe manner at no cost.
CPD Chief Darrel Broussard stated, “Many citizens were told in the past to just flush unused medication; this old method is no longer encouraged.”
According to HGAC, “The issue of proper disposal of unused or expired medications is a serious concern for not only the health and safety of the public by reducing chances for abuse and accidental overdose, but also for the health and safety of our waterways and drinking water supplies.”
What can collected by law enforcement, and disposed of by residents? Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including legally held controlled drugs and narcotics (Schedule II, III, IV, V only) can be placed in the box. Up to 4 ounces of liquid medication in the original container can be collected (wrapped in paper towels and enclosed in a zip-lock bag).
Needles, other medical waste, batteries, pharmacy inventory, Schedule I controlled substances and illegal drugs are not accepted.