Drug drop box available in Aberdeen PD lobby

March 19, 2019 6:00 pm
COURTESY PHOTO The front of the prescription medication drop box in the Aberdeen Police Department lobby clearly shows the types of items not accepted. It is designed to properly dispose of unused and expired pill and tablet-form medications.
COURTESY PHOTO The front of the prescription medication drop box in the Aberdeen Police Department lobby clearly shows the types of items not accepted. It is designed to properly dispose of unused and expired pill and tablet-form medications.

The Aberdeen Police Department, joined by the Hoquiam and Montesano police departments, has installed a prescription medication drop box in the lobby, designed to provide safe disposal of unused and expired medications.

The department is also working with Harbor Strong, an Aberdeen coalition focused on reducing opioid use and abuse among middle school and high school aged youth.

“A study on drug use and health showed that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet,” said April Heikkila, Harbor Strong coordinator. “The placement of a new permanent prescription medication drop receptacle in the lobby of the Aberdeen Police Department will keep our kids safe by greatly reducing the availability of prescription medications.”

Lt. C.J. Chastain said the box accepts pill and capsule medication. It is not for inhalers, aerosols, ointments, liquids, lotions, needles, thermometers or hydrogen peroxide. The service is available now to citizens — not businesses or medical clinics — for disposal of medications or medical waste. The receptacle box is clearly marked with the items that are not accepted.

Harbor Strong will join the Aberdeen Police Department in observing National Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 27 in the police department lobby.

Harbor Strong, My Town Coalition, the Aberdeen Police Department and multiple community partners will present Jermaine Galloway, known as Tall Cop, to the county for three different substance abuse detection and prevention presentations:

• April 23, Elma Summit Pacific Wellness Center, 6-7:30 p.m.

• April 24, Hoquiam High School Little Theater, 1:30-3:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.

• April 25, Aberdeen Log Pavilion, 8 a.m.-noon.

Galloway has nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement in the state of Idaho, and much of that time has been spent focused on combating underage drinking and drug abuse.