Anyone with medications they’d like to dispose of safely can do it on the morning of Wednesday, March 21, at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Instead of the drug drop-off bin that formerly was located outside the station until about three months ago, the department will host monthly drop-offs in the lobby, Lt. Mark Slater said.
“Someone will be sitting there, but still there will be no questions asked,” Slater said. “We just want to make sure it’s done safely, that things aren’t leaking and that medications are capped or in a plastic bag.”
Slater said in the past, medications often were mixed with “sharps” (or needles, for which there remains a permanent outdoor bin), left open and leaking, or sometimes dumped in bulk, likely by businesses handling a larger volume of supplies than residents use.
It was becoming unhealthful for sheriff’s employees who had to empty and process the materials, Slater said.
He said he’ll try to arrange additional days throughout the month in addition to the regularly scheduled drop-offs, which he expects will continue to be on the third Wednesday of the month. The second drop-off is scheduled for April 18.
“In the old days, you just threw it away or flushed it, but that all ends up somewhere,” Slater said. “So this way it gets disposed of properly, and there’s less possible harm. It’ll be safer.”
For more information, search for @CrescentaValleySheriffsStation on Facebook or call (818) 248-3464.
— Mirjam Swanson
