The Maricopa Police Department installs prescription drug drop box

MARICOPA, AZ - The Maricopa Police Department has installed a prescription drug drop box for city residents to dispose of their unused prescription drugs safely.

According to the Maricopa Police Department, the drop box was installed to reduce prescription drug abuse and ground water contamination.

Officials said they hope the new drop box will reduce the amount of teens abusing leftover drugs in their parents' medicine cabinets. However, youth aren't the only ones who could be at risk. Officials said that adults who might not be paying attention could take the wrong prescription drug by mistake.

Instead of throwing old medicines away where they can be easily accessed by others, or flushing them down the toilet where they would enter the water system, police are encouraging city residents to use the drop box.

The drop box is located in lobby of the Maricopa Police Department at 45147 West Madison Avenue. The lobby's hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The police department will not accept thermometers, hydrogen peroxide, needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, ointments, lotions, liquids, or medication from businesses or clinics.