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

Tue May 18 19:40:58 EDT 2010

Washington State DEA allows controlled substances (and other medicines)
to be returned to police stations.  There are over 40 ongoing medicine
return programs at law enforcement offices.  See www.medicinereturn.com
<http://www.medicinereturn.com/> 

The law enforcement office contacts the local DEA with their request,
and DEA has a standard letter they send out allowing the medicine
return.  

There have been no problems with the medicine return programs either at
law enforcement offices or pharmacies in Washington State.

Cheri Grasso

Cheri Grasso 

Pharmaceuticals Project 

Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County

130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100 | Seattle, WA  98109 | 206-263-3089

www.lhwmp.org

________________________________

From: VeoraLittle at aol.com [mailto:VeoraLittle at aol.com] 
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 2:01 PM
To: Brandon.Kernen at des.nh.gov; Stevan.Gressitt at maine.gov;
pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] Unwanted Medicine - Police Station Drop Boxes
-RESULTS

	Don't forget Florida, for some reason this may not have reached
you so I am resending. thanks.

Veora Little, CRNA, Naples, Florida, veoralittle at aol.com

	1)       What state do you work in or represent?

	Collier County, Florida (DrugFreeCollier, a substance abuse
coalition.)

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

	Yes they are allowed, we have them at 2 police and sheriff's
office(total 3)  Our medical examiner also will collect all drugs
including controlled substances at her office.

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

	Law Enforcement presence at all times is a requirement.  We have
a letter from DEA stating we run program within their guidelines.  No
waiver necessary.  All medications are collected as abandoned property
and incinerated as evidence. Medical Examiner has statutes that allow
them to house these substances, they incinerate as well..

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

	              No, just lots of very happy citizens sharing they
want a place to bring their old medications.  We also do a collection
event, "OPERATION MEDICINE CABINET" two times a year at 10 locations
throughout the county to collect in convenient locations, Law
Enforcement is present at these events. Next event November 13, 2010,
join us.  Happy to share any information.  veoralittle at aol.com Thanks.

In a message dated 5/17/2010 4:57:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Brandon.Kernen at des.nh.gov writes:

	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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