[Pharmwaste] Unwanted Medicine - Police Station Drop Boxes - RESULTS

Mon May 17 16:17:03 EDT 2010

Respondents explained that eight states (CA, FL, ID, MN, ND, NM, UT, WI)
have one or more police station drop boxes.  Additionally, I am aware of
five other states (AR, MA, ME, NH and TN) where drop boxes are present.
Two states described some issues associated with small businesses
disposing their unwanted pharmaceuticals in the drop boxes as well as
other materials such as sharps.  These problems were addressed through
education and/or placing the drop boxes in an area that could be
scrutinized more closely.

Two replies to my inquiry indicated that police station drop boxes are
not present in IN or VA. 

While some states have general requirements/guidelines associated with
the collection of controlled substances, I did not receive any responses
that indicate states have developed detailed guidance for constructing
and operating a police station drop box. Instead, local police stations
are sometimes developing and implementing their own procedures.

No attempt was made to determine the status of police drop boxes in
states that no one responded about.

This information people provided was very helpful in broadly addressing
some questions and concern from policymakers in NH.  Thank you!

I did get a lot of detail from some respondents and can forward the
package of responses I received if anyone wants them.

Regards

Brandon Kernen, PG - Supervisor, Hydrology and Conservation Program
Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau  Phone: 603 271 0660/Fax: 603 271
0656
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/index.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: Gressitt, Stevan [mailto:Stevan.Gressitt at maine.gov] 
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 10:24 AM
To: Kernen, Brandon; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Unwanted Medicine - Police Station Drop Boxes

I'd be very interested in seeing the result of this survey.Please?

Stevan Gressitt, M.D., Medical Director

Office of Adult Mental Health Services

Department of Health and Human Services

Marquardt Building, 2nd Floor

11 State House Station

32 Blossom Lane

Augusta, ME  04333-0011

Ph: (207)287-4273

Fax: (207)287-1022

Cell Phone: (207) 441-0291

E-Mail : stevan.gressitt at maine.gov

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mh/

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________________________________

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Kernen,
Brandon
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 8:59 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Unwanted Medicine - Police Station Drop Boxes

NH is considering clarifying state law to allow for police stations to
have drop boxes for unwanted/expired medicine.  Although some of these
exist in NH already, NH state law inadvertently does not permit these at
this time.

I would appreciate if you could answer the following questions:

1)       What state do you work in or represent?

2)       Are police station drop boxes allowed or prohibited in your
state?

3)       Is there specific guidance or legal requirements associated
with the drop boxes beyond obtaining DEA waivers and complying with haz
waste rules/exemptions?

4)       Have there been any problems with police station drop boxes in
your state?

Thank you

Brandon Kernen, PG - Supervisor, Hydrology and Conservation Program
Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau  Phone: 603 271 0660/Fax: 603 271
0656
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/index.htm

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