As of Jan. 30, 2015, the Medication Drop Box located at the Stratford Police Department has collected and properly disposed of 1,121.4 pounds of medications. The Medication Drop Box resides in the lobby of Stratford Police Department at 900 Longbrook Avenue, and may be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Since the installation of the Medication Drop Box on Oct. 19, 2013, the Stratford Police Department has collected on average nearly 75 pounds of unused medications per month. The drop box has also collected as much as 50 pounds over a three day span during Stratford’s Take Back Weekend in April of 2014. January of 2015 saw the collection of 138.4 pounds of medications which has been properly disposed.
“Ensuring that unused and unwanted medications stay out of the wrong hands is both a public health and a public safety concern. I am very pleased that the citizens are using the drop box”, said Stratford Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour. Stratford Health Director, Andrea L. Boissevain, urges residents, “to help keep excess prescription and over-the-counter medications out the hands of youth though proper and safe disposal.”
The following items are accepted: Prescription patches, medications, and ointments; over-the-counter medications and ointments; vitamins, medication samples; and pet medications.
The following items are not accepted: hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, thermometers, needles (sharps), aerosol cans, hazardous waste, and business/professional waste.
For more information, call the Stratford Dispatch Center at 203-385-4100 or contact the Stratford Community Services Department at 203-385-4095.