Back in 2011, Sherburne County began a prescription drug take-back program at the Government Center.

 

One of the goals was to prevent pharmaceutical pollution of surface and groundwater.

 

But it also helps prevent accidental poisonings and illegal drug use.

 

“We want to assist citizens to get unused and unneeded over-the-counter and prescription drugs out of their medicine cabinets to prevent other family members and children from accessing them and getting addicted or getting sick,” says Evidence Technician Alison Luoma-Dickison, evidence technician with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. 

 

“People don’t realize just how many pills they have lying around, so we just wanted to create a way to ensure that they have a place to bring them for safe disposal.”

 

The county’s program, done in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), is about five years old now, and it is just as busy as when it began.

 

“Originally we thought it would slow down, but it’s been pretty constant,” says Investigative Sergeant Paul Novotny. “Since we’ve been doing this, we’ve had to get a container that was probably three times bigger just because of the amount.”

 

The drugs are deposited by the general public through a slot in a drop box located in the lobby of the sheriff’s office. Every time a box is filled, it’s sealed with evidence tape and stacked in a secure evidence room. Once there’s enough for a load, it’s taken to an incinerator.

 

“We’ll fill up a truck in under six months,” says Novotny. “It’s about 300 to 400 pounds. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you get all the packaging, we’re literally filling a large truck to the top in six months.”

 

That trip to the incinerator is coordinated with the Becker and Big Lake police departments, who also have drug drop-off sites located in the lobby of their offices.

 

“That way we don’t tie up two officers on the trip to the incinerator,” says Novotny.

 

It took awhile for people to understand the program, says Luoma-Dickison. 

 

“In the beginning, people were bringing in items that weren’t accepted, like suntan lotion, toothpaste and mouthwash. Our boxes were filling up quicker,” she says. “People have been better about it now.”

 

But people still bring in drug-related items, such as syringes and vials. Those aren’t accepted, either.

 

“We only accepts pills and capsules,” says Luoma-Dickison. “Needles can be disposed of in the trash if they’re put in something like an old liquid laundry soap container and labeled  - sharps.”

 

And people don’t need to worry about security. The drug bottles aren’t examined, just sealed in boxes for incineration. But Luoma-Dickison says people can black out their personal information on the prescription bottles with a marker if they want to.

 

Novotny says a lot of people have older family members who continue to get more prescriptions as they age and have ill health. When they pass away, the family typically has a whole assortment of unused drugs.

 

“I’ve met a lot of people in the lobby. They’re just glad to have somewhere to bring it,” says Luoma-Dickison. “They bring bags full and explain their mom died of cancer and they didn’t know what else to do with it.”

 

That’s why the program exists, to help people. And Novotny says there’s no reason to think it will slow down anytime soon. The last shipment of 460 pounds went out Sept. 15. Another truckload leaves this week.

 

“We planned on two times a year and it may be three this year,” he says. “I’m constantly amazed at how much keeps coming in.”