RVC police station installs drug drop-off box

Residents who are looking to get rid of expired or unused medications in a safe and easy manner will now have a way to do so.

The Rockville Centre Police Department, through a partnership with CVS Pharmacy, recently installed a new disposal box at the station in an effort to rid the community of unwanted medications that may otherwise be diverted, abused or contaminate the water supply. The box was put in about two weeks ago and is situated next to the front door.

Only non-controlled drugs and substances will be accepted, such as prescription patches, ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples and pet medicines. Items that will not be accepted include hydrogen peroxide, thermometers, needles, aerosol cans, medications from businesses or clinics, lotions and liquids.

Detective Nicholas DeLuca said once the bag inside the box gets filled to capacity, it gets tied up and sent to an incinerator to be destroyed.

No questions will be asked about the medication being dropped off and people who visit the station to dispose of their drugs will remain anonymous.

“Now residents can drop them off any day they want to come in.” said DeLuca. “We don’t check anything and everything is all confidential,”

On April 29, the department will be hosting its second “Drug Take-Back Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The biannual program started about 10 years ago in conjunction with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, which disposes of hundreds of medications after each session.

The program will provide another opportunity for citizens to properly dispose of their drugs in an environmentally safe manner.

“They found out that people were flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage, which is bad for the environment,” said Lieutenant Chris Romance. “Plus, other people in the house were getting access to the medications.”