GPD Offers Secure Medication Collection Boxes

The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) has secure medication collection boxes that offer residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted or expired medications. Proper disposal of medications can help prevent overdoses, deaths, addiction, and can prevent environmental pollution.

Secure collection boxes are located in the lobbies of the following substations:

• Police Headquarters, District 1 Substation: 100 Police Plaza (open 24/7)
• District 3 Substation: 300 S Swing Rd. (Mondays-Fridays 8 am to 5 pm)
• District 4 Substation: 1105 Maple St. (Mondays-Fridays 8 am to 5 pm)

Items that CAN be dropped in GPD collection boxes includes EpiPens, prescription pills and capsules in zippered plastic bags (no loose pills can be dropped) and patches.

Items that CANNOT be dropped in GPD collection boxes includes over-the-counter drugs, liquids, biomedical hazards, syringes, lancets, needles (EpiPens are permitted) and illegal drugs.

Alternative methods to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted medications can include participating pharmacies. Visit your local pharmacy's website, or search for a nearby pharmacy, to determine if they have a collection box and which items they can accept.

Alternative methods to dispose of sharps (never place loose needles/syringes in the trash)

• Mail-back Programs: allow home sharps users to mail used sharps to licensed disposal facilities as a safe disposal option. Such programs charge a fee for this service. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, or search the yellow pages or Internet using key words "sharps mail-back".
• Needle Destruction Devices: (that bend, break, incinerate or shear needles): a destruction device that incinerates needles can be used at home. These small, portable devices use a few seconds of high heat to melt needles and reduce them to BB-size balls. A needle cutter automatically stores cut needles in a small refuse reservoir. Once the sharp is destroyed by heat or cutting, you can place the remains in a sealed container such as a detergent bottle and place it in your household trash (not recycling).
• Syringe Exchange Programs (SEP): Sharps users can safely exchange used needles for new needles. Contact the North American Syringe Exchange Network at 253-272-4857.

Methods to dispose of biomedical waste (i.e. bloody bandages, disposable sheets/pads, gloves, and dialysis machine filters): Double-bag the contaminated item in standard plastic garbage bags and securely fasten them. This material may then be combined with other household garbage for disposal.

If you live in Greensboro and find illegal drugs, call 336-373-2222 and someone can pick them up.

To anonymously report the sale or use of illegal street drugs, contact Crime Stoppers 336-373-1000 or submit an anonymous online e-tip.

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