Police stations have drop-off boxes for expired and unwanted prescription medicines:
Did you know there are drop-off boxes at local police stations for expired and unwanted prescription medications? There’s one at the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office complex in Mason, one in the lobby of the Delhi Township substation, and one at the Mason Police Department. This service is provided to the community free of charge as part of an initiative to address the significant problem of prescription drug abuse in our communities.
A huge health issue in our state
Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication that was prescribed for someone else, takes their own prescription in a way not intended by a doctor—or to get high.
Prescription drug abuse has become a huge health issue in our state, not only because of the dangers involved but because it is a growing problem, especially among teens. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
- After marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly abused substances by Americans age 14 and older.
- Teens abuse prescription drugs for a number of reasons, such as to get high, to stop pain, or because they think it will help them with schoolwork.
- Most teens get prescription drugs they abuse from friends and relatives, sometimes without the person knowing.
- Boys and girls tend to abuse some types of prescription drugs for different reasons. For example, boys are more likely to abuse prescription stimulants to get high, while girls tend to abuse them to stay alert or to lose weight.
When prescription drugs are taken as directed, they are usually safe. It requires a trained health care clinician, such as a doctor or nurse, to determine whether the benefits of taking the medication outweigh any risks for side effects. But when abused and taken in different amounts or for different purposes than as prescribed, they affect the brain and body in ways very similar to illicit drugs.
Abusing prescription drugs is illegal
When prescription drugs are abused, they can be addictive and
put the person at risk for other harmful health effects, such as overdose (especially when taken along with other drugs or alcohol). Abusing prescription drugs is also illegal—and that includes sharing prescriptions with family members or friends. Additionally, law enforcement has observed a distinct link between persons who abuse prescription drugs and heroin addiction. Many of the heroin addicts we speak with tell us they initially abused prescription medications, then began using heroin (which is cheap and readily available) when they could no longer afford the pills to support their addiction.
Keep your medications secure
The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office encourages you to keep your 
medications in a secure container out of reach of kids and persons who might abuse them. Please take advantage of the drop boxes to dispose of your unwanted controlled medications, too—it’s free and easy!
As always, if you have questions or concerns, you can reach the Delhi Officers at 517.694.0045. Suspicious persons or activities can be reported by dialing 911.
Stay safe out there.