Thanks to a partnership between Indiana University Health, the Avon Police Department and the Solid Waste Management District, an additional unwanted medicines drop box was opened at IU Health West Hospital in Avon earlier this month. The new box is located near Main Registration and will be available 24/7 for residents to dispose of unwanted medicines, including prescription medicines.
Proper disposal of unwanted medicines and keeping them from being flushed down a toilet or washed down a drain is critical to protecting our drinking water. Prescription drug abuse continues to plague our communities and law enforcement recognizes that removing unwanted medicines (especially heavy-duty pain killers) from our homes keeps us safer from criminals looking for drugs to sell or take themselves. Additionally, getting unwanted drugs out of houses reduces accidental poisonings of children.
“Substance abuse was identified as a community health priority in the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted by the Hendricks County Health Partnership. Because we understand the challenge many families face dealing with prescription drug abuse, providing our patients and the community a safe and effective way to dispose of unused or expired medications here at IU Health West Hospital is a small but important step we can take to be part of the solution.”
-Cathy Stoll, Marketing Communications and Community Outreach Director for Indiana University Health
There are now four unwanted medicine drop boxes available for use across Hendricks County:
- Avon Police Station
- Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department
- Plainfield Police Station
- IU Health West Hospital
Users of the drop boxes should leave medicines in the original containers. Personal information may be removed or marked out, but users’ personal information will be protected. No needles, syringes, mercury thermometers or other wastes should be disposed of in the drop boxes. Medicines deposited in the boxes should be from consumers only–the program is not intended for commercial use.
The drop boxes are routinely emptied by local law enforcement officers who deliver them to Covanta in Indianapolis as part of the company’s Prescription for Safety (Rx4Safety) Program. The medicines are incinerated, free-of-charge, through the program.
Unwanted medicines are also accepted at the Danville Police Station, though no drop box is available. Medicines must be handed to a staff member. Additionally, medicines are accepted for free and at every on of the District’s Tox-Away Days.
