Medication return box open 24-7
Accidental poisoning from medications has been increasing since 2001, especially for children. National Poison Control Centers data reported that approximately 5,000 children ages 6 years and under, and 18,783 adults, succumbed to accidental exposure to medications in 2007. Even child resistant containers cannot completely prevent a child from taking medicines that belong to someone else.
What can you do? Keep medications that you are using in a locked area, and dispose of unused or expired prescription and overthe-counter medications as soon as possible.
In Takoma Park, the police department has made the task easier. Its MedReturn mailbox is now open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Located in the lower level lobby area of the Community Center (7500 Maple Ave.), the green box is easy to find, safe and secure.
The Med-Return box accepts unwanted/unused prescription and non-prescription drugs, patches, ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or pet medication. Drugs can be dropped off with no questions asked.
Items that cannot be left are liquids, inhalers, aerosol cans, regular household ointments/lotions, needles/sharps and/or thermometers.
—Takoma Park Emergency Preparedness Committee
This article appeared in the August 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
