Mahomet Police Department introduces medication take-back program
The Mahomet Police Department has taken a significant step towards promoting community safety by introducing a convenient medication take-back program.
The initiative aims to facilitate the proper disposal of leftover, unused, and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. This effort by the police department seeks to mitigate the potential risks associated with drugs in households, particularly the harm they can cause to children, teens, and adults.
Recognizing the role of unused medications as a source of drug abuse in millions of homes, the Mahomet Police Department has established a secure drop-off location in the lobby of its facility at 303 E Oak St., Mahomet.
By providing a safe and easily accessible disposal option, the department hopes to address the opioid crisis in the United States, where a significant portion of misused prescription pain relievers (47%) is obtained from friends or relatives. The alarming statistic that an American dies of a drug overdose every 5 minutes further underscores the urgency of tackling this issue.
Chief of Police Michael Metzler of the Mahomet Police Department said, “We want to provide the folks in our community with a safe, secure opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and make their homes and communities safer.”
He emphasized the importance of not flushing drugs down the toilet, as traces of drugs can contaminate community drinking water. Instead, the department’s drug disposal unit, housed conveniently inside the police department, offers an effective solution. Visitors can locate the prominent green receptacle and drop off their medications with no questions asked.
Chief Metzler clarified that while most medications can be deposited in the receptacle, certain items such as empty injector products and needles are not accepted. However, the police department staff will be present to provide guidance on appropriate disposal methods for such items. The collection receptacle will be accessible to the public from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
In managing the drug take-back program, the Mahomet Police Department has partnered with Inmar, an industry leader with a long-standing reputation in safely and discreetly handling prescription and over-the-counter drug returns. Inmar has extensive experience working with major and regional chain drug stores, independent pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies across the United States.
