FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Solid Waste District Furnishes Second Permanent
Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Bin for Scott County
The Southeastern Indiana Solid Waste District (SISWD) partnered with the Scott County Partnership, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and the Austin Police Department to provide bins to Scott County residents to dispose of unused, expired, and unwanted medications 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
SISWD recently provided a second pharmaceutical waste disposal bin to Scott County. Controlled and non-controlled medications can now be disposed of at two Scott County locations: the Scott County Sheriff’s Department inside their main lobby at 111 South 1st Street in Scottsburg AND the Austin Police Department in their main lobby at 127 N. Highway 31 in Austin.
Both bins are accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. No questions will be asked. Individuals using the bins are asked to leave their medication in their original containers, and drop the containers directly into the bins. They ask that everyone remove the medication from plastic bags. Please DO NOT dispose of needles and sharps in these disposal bins.
Needles and sharps enclosed in containers may be disposed of at the One Stop Shop Syringe Service Program at 825 N. Highway 31 in Austin, and at Hancock’s Drug Store and Medical Arts Pharmacy. Non-controlled medications may also be disposed of at Hancock’s Pharmacy and Williams Brothers Pharmacy (under new ownership—formerly Austin Pharmacy). Controlled and non-controlled medications may also be disposed of at Medical Arts Pharmacy.
The easiest way to keep our children, relatives, and friends from abusing prescription medications it to safeguard all drugs at home by locking them up, monitoring quantities, controlling access, and disposing of any expired, unused, or unwanted medications, both controlled and non-controlled.
Fifty-five percent of all Rx drug abusers are getting them from a relative or friend. If your teen has been prescribed a drug, be sure you control the medication and monitor dosage and refills. Set clear rules for teens and drug use, including not sharing medications and always following the medical provider’s advice and dosages. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS or FOR YOU TO TAKE ANYONE ELSE’S MEDICATION. If you have any questions about how to take a drug, call your family physician or pharmacist.
This important message is being provided to you by the Partnership’s For Success funding through the Scott County Partnership. For more information, you may call LeAnn Walker at 812-752-0980.