Princeton introduces safe drug disposal all year round

  • 2014-05-28
Following the April 26 ‘Drug Take Bay Day’ event this year, residents of Princeton, Minnesota, now have an alternative to waiting for the next annual event to come round before getting rid of their unused or expired medication.

At the new public safety building, the Princeton Police Department has worked together with Fairview Northland Medical Center, Walmart, and pharmacies at Coborn’s to create a drop box for medicine. Prescription drugs can be deposited at the police department from7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 7:00 am to 3:00 pm on Fridays. Duty officers can arrange to take medications on Saturday or Sunday, but those who would like to do so will need to call ahead.

The Mille Lacs Country Sheriff’s Office in Milaca, 13 miles away, is the next closest location for prescription drug disposal, according to Sgt. Joe Backlund from the Princeton Police Department. The police department will store the unused medications in its evidence room, and they will be disposed of annually in Alexandria.

Every April, pharmacies and public safety companies across the country participate in National Drug Take Back Day, where customers can bring back medications for proper disposal. Customers often see flyer or poster printing examples at their local pharmacy in the weeks leading up to the event as organizers seek to raise awareness.