Minnesota County Encourages Drug Disposal Program

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has scheduled a drug take-back day for September 25 to help prevent the theft of pharmaceuticals, but one community has decided to take the idea to the next level.

Minnesota’s Chisago County Sheriff’s Department and Environmental Services recently introduced a permanent drug take-back box at Rush City Hall, according to the Isanti-Chisago County Star.

The box is the third of its kind in Chisago County and will allow residents to drop off old or unwanted prescription drugs, which are often the target of pharmaceutical theft. The other two are located at North Branch City Hall in cooperation with the North Branch Police Department and at the Sheriff’s Office in the Chisago County Government Center in Center City, according to the news source.

“It’s to the credit of Chisago County that you have made this program happen,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar at the unveiling of the new box, reports the news provider.

The theft of pharmaceuticals presents many risks beyond drug abuse. Criminals often tamper with the drugs, which can make them toxic, before they re-enter the supply chain, posing a health risk to consumers.