Rx drop box at MCSO
Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman and his staff are optimistic a prescription medicine drop box installed recently at the sheriff’s office to combat drug abuse will be a success.
The Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force teamed with the MCSO to install the box, which works like a mailbox, in the lobby of the sheriff’s office, 2369 Jessup Ave., as a safe, anonymous way for residents to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs 24/7.
Contact with civilian or police personnel is not required.
“We installed it to give rural residents a place to safely dispose of unwanted prescription medications,” said Hoffman. “Many people become addicted to prescription drugs because they started using a family member’s leftover prescription prescriptions, so cleaning out a medicine cabinet can save lives. Once addicted, some of these individuals may then move to heroin to fulfill that addiction.”
Residents must remove labels from prescription bottles before disposal to help protect the identity and personal health information of the prescription holder.
Bottle caps must be secured. Needles, liquid, biohazard items and trash are not allowed.
Another local partner in the war against drugs is the Substance Abuse and Treatment Unit of Central Iowa.
SATUCI has a long history of working with local law enforcement in offering intervention services to those suffering from substance abuse issues.
It is a not-for-profit, state-funded, community based agency which has provided substance abuse prevention and treatment services to Hardin, Marshall, Tama and Poweshiek residents since 1980. SATUCI is headquartered in Marshalltown.
Anyone seeking help or advice regarding substance abuse issues, should contact SATUCI at 641-752-5421.
Questions regarding the prescription drug drop box can be directed to the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force at 641-754-6392.