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Drop-off boxes for unwanted or old prescriptions are popping up at various police departments throughout Portage County. The �鶹ӰԺ Police Services is now one of those locations.

The prescription drop-off box, located in front of the Stockdale Safety Building on 530 East Summit Str., collects any type of prescription drug except needles and syringes.

“As a department, we are happy to provide a simple, safe method for people to dispose of unused medication,” says �鶹ӰԺ Police Lieutenant Rick O’Neill. “It is satisfying to know that we’re providing a means to avoid accidental ingestion of medications and the ability to dispose of them in an environmentally safe manner.”

Dawn Banks, �鶹ӰԺ State alumna and staff member with the Portage County Solid Waste Management District Recycling Center, started the project last year and says that nearly every department in the county is participating.

“The only departments that are not participating do not have the man power,” says Banks. “Before now, there were very few places to safely dispose of unused medications.”

O’Neill says they received their drop-off box the first week of December.

“A few people actually have taken advantage of the box despite news of its existence not yet being widely spread,” says O’Neill. “I do anticipate the collections will increase once the entire university community is aware of the service.”