On Aug. 16, 2013, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan City Police Department in conjunction with LaPorte County TRIAD incinerated 105 ½ pounds of unused medicines that had been collected in their pill drop boxes. The unused pills had been collected since April 27, 2013, and were incinerated in a licensed facility.
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, LaPorte Police and Michigan City Police are members of TRIAD, an organization that consists of law enforcement, senior citizens and county service organizations focused on reducing crimes against vulnerable and senior citizens. In addition, TRIAD coordinates Project Lifesaver, beacon lights, and a speakers’ bureau that promotes safety and wellness for seniors and endangered adults.
Pill drop boxes are permanently located in the lobbies of the sheriff’s office and LaPorte and Michigan City police departments and are accessible 24 hours a day. The boxes provide a means for citizens to dispose of unused and unwanted medicines and prevent them from entering the environment in landfills and water systems. The drop boxes also help to prevent experimentation, addiction, overdose and death.
TRIAD reminds the public that only solid medicines can be accepted and liquids and injectables can be disposed of in cat litter or coffee grounds and then placed in a trash receptacle, as this is an approved method endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Needles can be placed in a sealed container such as a detergent bottle and then taken to LaPorte County Solid Waste, 2857 W. Ind. 2, LaPorte. In exchange, a free sharps container will be provided.