Drop Meds Here

      Spring cleaning on your mind? Here’s where to drop your unused or expired medications when you clean out the medicine cabinet or first aid kit.

      Anne Arundel Medical Center has installed two medication disposal drop boxes to help you safely declutter your pills and potions. Find them at MedPark Professional Pharmacy, Suite 170 in the Medical Center’s Sajak Pavilion, and at Arnold Professional Pharmacy in Arnold.

      The new containers in both places can accept controlled and non-controlled medications in pills, tablets, capsules, as well as ointments, creams, lotions and powders. For liquids, there must be no more than four ounces remaining, and the contents must be in original containers, wrapped in a paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag.

       Aerosol cans, needles, syringes and home-based medications are not accepted.

      The drop boxes promote the safe collection and proper destruction of unused medications. Medicine placed in trash containers can be dangerous to children, and flushing medications affects plants, fish and water.

       “Our safe medication disposal drop boxes will support Anne Arundel Medical Center’s commitment to the health and safety of our community,” said Jo Deaton, senior director of nursing for the Medical Center’s Behavioral Health. 

      It also helps protect our community from prescription drug misuse.

      As community health nurse Charlotte Wallace of Arnold notes, prescription drugs can pass from hand to hand: “Maryland Public Opinion shows us that over 80 percent say it would be ‘easy to somewhat easy’ to get prescription opioid pills from a friend or family member for the sake of getting high.”

      “By monitoring our medicine cabinet and disposing of unused medicine, county residents help fight the opioid epidemic and safeguard loved ones,” said acting Anne Arundel County Health Officer Billie Penley.

      Find additional drop box locations, including boxes for home healthcare lancets, needles and syringes: www.aahealth.org.