Clearing out your medicine cabinet can be more than a spring cleaning chore—it's a public safety measure. On April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) is teaming up with the National Drug Enforcement Administration to host a Drug Take Back Event. According to a bulletin from the EPPD, the collection site is set up at the Eden Prairie Senior Center, located at 8950 Eden Prairie Road.
The service is free, and residents can drop off their unused or expired prescription medication as well as over-the-counter medication, ensuring these drugs don't end up in the wrong hands or polluting our environment, and what's more, you don't even have to leave your car—the EPPD staff will come to you and collect the items directly from your vehicle. Though the police department has specified "No sharps, inhalers or illicit substances please!" as these items are not accepted during the event.
For those unable to attend, the EPPD has a plan B. In a move to make medication disposal accessible year-round, the department offers free home medication disposal bags. Interested parties can pick these up at Eden Prairie City Center, located at 8080 Mitchell Road, from Monday–Friday, between 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. "Each bag provides for the disposal of pills, liquid medication or transdermal patches," states the EPPD bulletin. These bags come with activated carbon; this binds with the medication and deactivates it, preventing it from entering and potentially contaminating our soil and water systems.
Moreover, EPPD urges residents to keep prescription medications secure and out of reach from children and pets, recommending the use of locked medicine cabinets for added safety, however, if you are looking to dispose of medicine, don't take them to the police department directly, as they don't accept drop-offs outside of the event, Hennepin County, however, does offer drop box locations for the safe disposal of medications. More information on these locations and the proper disposal of medication can be found on the EPPD's blog postings at edenprairie.org/EPPDBlog for those interested in further details or seeking more insights into community safety initiatives.
