Public medication disposal bin installed at Aspirus Medford

Aspirus Medford Hospital & Clinic has added one more resource to the community to help fight medication misuse.

A medication drop box has been installed in the Aspirus Medford Retail Pharmacy at 135 South Gibson Street in Medford. The medication drop box is open to the public for the safe disposal of unused or expired medication.

“Safe disposal of unused or expired medication is imperative to keep our communities safe, as well as to do our part to fight the opioid epidemic. The medication drop box will allow the public to properly dispose of medications, thus reducing access to medications that could be abused,” says Amanda Lange, Aspirus Medford Director of Community Health & Foundation. “One way to do that is to get unneeded medications out of homes and into one of the county’s medication drop boxes.”

Why use a medication drop box?

• PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT: Studies have found traces of pharmaceuticals in wastewater throughout the United States. Even after wastewater is treated and discharged, these pharmaceuticals persist in the environment. Preventing them from entering these ecosystems will maintain the integrity, diversity and value of our natural resources.

• INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY: According to the National Survey on Drug Abuse & Health, 70% of those 12 years & older who abuse painkillers obtained them through a friend or relative, both legally and illegally.

• IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH: Throwing unused or unwanted medications in the trash, or leaving them out, can lead to dangerous unintended exposure to people or animals. Treat and store both prescription and over-the-counter drugs like any other poison.

There are instructions for proper drug disposal in English and Spanish directly on the drop box. As a general rule, please put medications in a Ziploc bag before placing in the drop box.

In addition to the medication drop box, the Aspirus Medford Retail Pharmacy will collect and dispose of needles, syringes and lancets – otherwise known as sharp items. Please place sharp items in a heavy plastic container with a lid or an official SHARPS disposal container for drop-off.

There is an additional medication drop box located at the Taylor County Courthouse Jail Visitor Entrance, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI.