Free Med Toss event allows citizens to
safely dispose of unwanted medicines

Fayette County citizens can drop of their unused, unneeded or expired medications (prescription and over-the-counter) for safe, environmentally friendly disposal Saturday, April 28.
 

The free Med Toss event, conducted in partnership with the DEA National Take Back Initiative, is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (rain or shine) at four locations around Lexington:
• Kentucky American Water at 2300 Richmond Road
• Police Roll Call at 1165 Center Pkwy.
• Dunbar High School at 1600 Man O’ War Blvd.
• Wal-Mart at 2350 Grey Lag Way (Hamburg)
 

Proper disposal of medicines is both a public safety and environmental concern, said Lexington Police Chief Ronnie Bastin.
 

“Med Toss is always a great community service too, but it’s also a crime fighting tool it keeps prescription drugs out the hands of those who would abuse them or sell them illegally. That’s important, because prescription drug abuse is a growing criminal and social problem in our community. I encourage everyone to partner with the police and the city to keep Lexington safe, by tossing your meds on April 28,” Bastin said.
 

Each previous Med Toss event has resulted in the safe collection of several hundred pounds of prescription and non-prescription medication and paraphernalia.
 

Med Toss is for Fayette County residents only; no businesses. Citizens should remove or mark out all personal information on containers. Acceptable items include both noncontrolled and controlled substances, veterinary medicines, liquids, pills, inhalers, vitamins and mercury-containing drugs. Unacceptable items include radioactive drugs.
 

For those unable to participate in Med Toss, the following steps are recommended:
 

• Pour or place medication into a sealable plastic bag.
• If medication is in a pill or capsule form, crush and/or add liquid to it.
• Add kitty litter, coffee grounds or other solids to the medication to make it less appealing to children and pets/animals.
• Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash.
• Remove/destroy all personal information on labels and containers before throwing them into the trash.
 

Med Toss is made possible by the Lexington Division of Police, the Lexington Department of Environmental Quality, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky American Water, the Mayor’s Alliance on Substance Abuse, the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, the University of Kentucky School of Pharmacy, Bluegrass PRIDE and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, along with other community partners.
 

For more information, click here, or call LexCall at 311 or 425-CALL (2255).
 

From Lexington Division of Police

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