Safe Drug Storage & Disposal

Safe drug disposal saves lives and protects drinking water supplies. Community Reach Center is committed to providing resources to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the U.S.

NEW! Med Drop-Off Box Location:
Donald C. Ciancio Memorial Building
8989 Huron St.
Thornton, CO 80260

 

The box will be located within the building in front of the Genoa window. Medications can be dropped off Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The box is closed during lunch hours from 12:30- 1 p.m.

Permanent drug collection sites can also be found at participating law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. For more disposal options and locations, call 303-692-2903 or visit TakeMedsBack.org for other disposal locations.

Accepted medicines:
  • Over-the-counter and prescribed medicines (including prescribed controlled substances like Percocet, Oxycontin, Xanax, Ritalin, etc.)
  • Medication samples Medicated ointments
  • Vitamins
  • Pet medications
  • Unused medication patches
  • Liquid medications (small amounts in non-leaking original container)
  • Unused injection pens (EpiPens®, blood thinner injectors, insulin pens, etc.)
Cannot Be Accepted:
  • Marijuana
  • Illicit drugs (e.g. DEA Schedule I drugs like heroin, LSD, etc)
  • Needles, syringes, and other sharps
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Medical tools and supplies
  • Bloody or infectious waste
  • Personal care products
  • Thermometers
  • Empty containers
  • Medication wastes generated by health care facilities, including nursing homes

 

Did you know?

  • 1 in 7 Colorado high school students have taken prescription medications that were not prescribed to them.
  • 53.7% of individuals who misused prescription opioids obtained them from a friend or relative.

 

Follow these Do’s and Don’ts of medication storage and disposal to keep your family and the environment safe:

DO:

  • Store medications out of reach of children and pets. Consider a lock box to store medications safely.
  • Place syringes and other injectables in a sturdy, puncture resistant container with a screw-top lid, like a laundry detergent container.
  • Dispose of unused or expired medications safely. Use the Med Drop-Off Box at the Donald C. Ciancio Memorial Building or visit TakeMedsBack.org to find a safe disposal location near you.

 

DO NOT:

  • Flush pills or liquid medication down toilets or drains. However, used fentanyl or duragesic pain patches SHOULD be folded in half (sticky side together) and flushed down the toilet.
  • Dispose of syringes in the recycling. Instead, when container of used syringes is full, label with “Syringes – Do Not Recycle” and place in the trash.

View or download our Safe Drug Storage & Disposal flyer