Take It To The Box Safe Prescription Medication Disposal

What is it?

• The Lyon County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Marshall Police Department and the Marshall Area Crime Fund are serious about preventing medication misuse/abuse and providing environmentally safe disposal of unwanted medications.
• The Take It To The Box program promotes the safe disposal of unneeded and/or expired prescription and over the counter medications. This includes both human and animal medications along with illegal drugs. (Sharps/Needles or infectious waste cannot be accepted)
• A growing concern in our communities is the abuse, by youth and others, of medications not prescribed to them. Safe disposal makes medications less available. Proper disposal of medication helps protect our soil and water. Unsafe disposal of medications can contribute to environmental damage.
• This program remains ongoing, in which a permanent prescription drop box has been securely installed in the lobby of the Lyon County Law Enforcement Center for 24/7 drop off availability.
• There is no charge to individuals dropping off medications.

How do I use this program?

1. Keep the medication in its original container.
2. Leave the name of the drug and other content information clearly visible. Remove the individuals name and other identifying information by scratching the person's name out or by covering the name with a permanent marker. You may also cut off the part of the label with the individual's name.
3. Take the unneeded prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to the: Prescription/OTC Drop Box in the main lobby of the Lyon County Law Enforcement Center located at 611 West Main Street Marshall, MN 56258.
4. Drop the unneeded and/or expired medications into the drop box. No questions asked.

• DO NOT flush medications down the toilet.
• Ask an officer if you need assistance by calling (507) 537-7000.

I know someone who has a large amount of unneeded medication but is unable to bring it in for disposal. Can I drop off someone else’s medication?

Yes. If needed, friends or family members may bring medication to The Box for someone else. Please call if you have a question about this.

What happens to the medications dropped into The Box?

The Box will be emptied as needed. Contents are stored in secured locations. Periodically, law enforcement and a chemist from a qualified disposal company will sort the medication. Medicines will then be taken to a licensed site to be incinerated.

How do I obtain additional Information?

• Call (507) 537-7000 and ask to speak with;
• Marshall Police Sergeant, or
• Lyon County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ben Kelly.

Additional Web Resources:

• http://www.drugfree.org/
• www.OTCsafety.org
• www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com
• www.Drugabuse.gov
• http://teens.drugabuse.gov
• http://www.onthewagon.org/the-real-facts-about-drugs/

Guidelines for Medication Use, Storage and Disposal Safe Use

• Read and follow directions on all medications.
• Take the recommended dose...not more...not less.
• Take the medicine the number of times and the frequency recommended.
• Do not share your prescription medicines with another person.
• Do not take someone else's prescription medicine.
• Know the names of your medications and their purpose.
• Pharmacists and doctors can answer your questions about over the counter medicines...just ask!

Safe Storage

• Keep medicines in a place away from children, teens and guests. Lock up medicines if necessary, especially narcotics or mood altering medicines.
• Keep medicines in their original bottle or package.
• Keep medicines in a cool, dry place away from light.
• Follow storage directions on the medicine.