Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

PRESS RELEASE: STATE ANNOUNCES INCREASED DRUG DROP BOX USAGE IN 2018

Thursday, March 21st, 2019 – Today, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)’s Drug Control Division announced that 43,251 lbs. of unneeded medication were disposed of in the state’s drug drop boxes in 2018, an increase of 5,710 lbs. from 2017. There are now 95 drug drop boxes at law enforcement stations in Connecticut registered with DCP.

Here’s the amount of medication that drug drop boxes have collected in past years:

Year 
 Amount Disposed (lbs.)
2012 
  3,639 
 2013   8,149
 2014    15,930
2015   23,651
 2016  33,803
 2017  37,541
 2018  43,251
 
"Disposing of unneeded medication safely is just one way to prevent addiction and overdoses,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, “We’re pleased to see a steady growth in the number of drop boxes, and in the medication being disposed of. We want to thank law enforcement for hosting drop boxes in the state, and for their continued collaboration in making this program a success. We look forward to coordinating even more with our sister agencies and partner organizations to keep families safe”
“Thanks to the efforts of the people and communities of our state, in just one year, more than 20 tons of medications have been safely destroyed and kept out of the wrong hands,” said Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon. “Preventing addiction and limiting access to dangerous medications is one way we can all play a role in stemming the tide in the opioid crisis.”

Families can find the drop box closest to them by visiting www.ct.gov/dropbox, and more information about safe drug disposal and drug take back events on DCP’s website here.

In addition to disposing at a drop box, families can dispose of medication safely at home by running medication under hot water, combining it with an undesirable material, sealing the container, and throwing it out.
Families with complaints, questions, or concerns may contact DCP’s Drug Control Division by emailing dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov, or by calling (860) 713-6065.
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Media Contacts
Department of Consumer Protection
Lora Rae Anderson
lorarae.anderson@ct.gov
(860) 713-6019 (office)
(860) 247-8711 (cell)
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Diana Shaw
diana.shaw@ct.gov
(860) 418-6967 (office)
(860) 558-0024 (cell)