The
Jefferson Hills Police Department (JHPD) has taken possession of a “medicine
drop-off box” that has been installed in the main lobby of the Borough
building, just outside the police department. The medicine drop-off box was
supplied through a partnership with the Department of Drug and Alcohol
Programs, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the
Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association that provides grants that
facilitate the installation of secure and permanent prescription drug drop-off
boxes installed throughout Pennsylvania. The purpose of the box is to allow
households and residences to remove expired, unwanted, or unused medicines from
their homes to help reduce the chance that others may accidentally take or
intentionally misuse the unneeded medicine. Area residents are encouraged to
use the box, which is available to drop off medicines during hours the main
entrance of the Borough Building is open to the public or via the rear (2nd
floor) entrance when the library is open for business. The medicine drop-off
box is a blue box that resembles a U.S. Postal mail collection box; affixed to
the box is a placard with instructions regarding what is acceptable to be
dropped off and what is not. Once collected, the JHPD will facilitate the
disposal of the collected medicines. “Commercial” facilities such doctors’
offices, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, veterinary clinics, long-term care
facilities and any other businesses are prohibited from using the boxes. With
Allegheny County having the second highest overdose rate in the state, having
these boxes throughout the County could help reduce the amount of unused
medications that can become accessible for potential misuse and overdose
situations.