County’s fifth permanent disposal location helps fight opioid crisis
St. Michaels residents will have a place to properly dispose of prescription medications starting January first, with a new drop box at the town’s police station.
The permanent location for the drop box is in the lobby of the St. Michaels Police Department, at 100 S. Fremont St. in St. Michaels. The drop box will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers a safe way for people to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications.
“Each year across the country there are more than 60,000 accidental poisonings from leftover medications,” said St. Michaels Police Chief Anthony Smith. “The St. Michaels Police Department is a committed partner working to solve the opioid crisis affecting our communities.”
To dispose of unused, expired or otherwise unwanted medications, first remove any personal information from the prescription container. Then, simply drop the container into a drop box near you. Please, no liquids or needles. Drop offs remain anonymous with no questions asked.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 65 percent of people who misuse prescription painkillers get them from friends or family. Proper disposal of these medications, particularly opioid painkillers, can help reduce the likelihood of abuse.
Funds for the drop box came from The Commissioners of St. Michaels, with partial funding from the Mid-Shore Opioid Misuse Prevention Program.
Additional drop boxes locations in Talbot County:
Talbot County Public Safety Center
115 W. Dover St. Easton
Hours: 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily
Maryland State Police Barrack “I”
7053 Ocean Gateway Easton
Accepts medications 24 hours/day
Oxford Police Department
101 Market St. Oxford
Hours: 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. weekdays
Talbot County Sheriff’s Office
28712 Glebe Road, Suite 1, Easton
Accepts medications 24 hours/day
In addition to drop boxes, medication disposal bags are available through the health department’s prevention office. Contact Jean Honey, Talbot County Health Department prevention administrator, at 410-819-5600 for information.
The Talbot County Health Department Prevention Office helps community groups, agencies and individuals in providing programs and activities to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, and to build a healthier community. Resources include parenting skills, video and resource loan library, awareness campaigns and educational workshops.