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Drug Disposal

Residential Drop off Only

There is a permanent prescription drug disposal unit located at the Medford Police Station lobby, 100 Main Street, Medford, MA. Anytime, any day and completely confidential.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.

Note: We are no longer accepting sharps at the police department. Please visit the Board of Health on the third floor of City Hall during regular business hours.

Items Accepted

  • Pills, tablets, capsules
  • Cough medicine
  • Creams/salves
  • Any other medications

Items NOT Accepted

  • Medical devices
  • (IV Bags, Home Infusion Items)
  • Medical Instruments
  • Needles/Syringes

Proper Use and Disposal of Needles and Syringes – Be Smart. Be Careful. Be Aware. Be Safe.

If you’re one of the many people in Massachusetts who uses syringes to manage your health care at home, here’s what you need to know about the safe use and disposal of needles, syringes and lancets (sharps).

Be Smart.

A sharps container is a single-use container that is filled with used medical needles and then disposed of safely.  These can be purchased at pharmacies, medical supply stores or ordered through the mail.

If you do not have access to a sharps container:

  • Place sharps in a container such as a rigid plastic bottle or coffee can with a secure cap.

DO NOT  put sharps in the household trash.

As of July 1, 2012, medical waste regulations do not allow the disposal of sharps in household garbage. Take your filled sharps container to the sharps disposal (drop-off) unit at the Medford Board of Health, City Hall room 311.

Be Careful.

Protect yourself, your community, your environment, and family and friends. The proper disposal of needles and syringes is important.

DO:

  • Put used syringes in sharps container immediately.
  • Keep needles away from children and pets.
  • Bring a sharps container when traveling.

DO NOT:

  • Throw sharps in the garbage or recycling bins.
  • Flush sharps down the toilet or drop into
    storm drains.
  • Clip, bend or recap needles.

Be Aware.

Needles, syringes and sharps containers may not be thrown in the garbage or in recycling bins.

Be Safe.

Reduce your risk of blood-borne diseases like hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

DO

  • Use a new needle every time you inject.
  • Clean the injection site with soapy water, alcohol swabs or rubbing alcohol.
  • Find out your HIV/viral hepatitis status. Get tested. If you are not infected you can stay that way. If you are, find out how to take care of yourself and avoid passing HIV/viral hepatitis to others.
  • Clean your sharps with bleach IF you must reuse them.

DO NOT

  • Inject in the same spot over and over again.
  • Share needles, syringes, cookers, cotton or water.

Be Informed.

Resources are just a phone call or click away. All calls are confidential.

Additional Resources

DPH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
(617) 624-5485, TTY:  (617) 624-5992
www.mass.gov/dph/diabetes

Substance Abuse Education and Information Helpline
(800) 327-5050, TTY: (617) 536-587
www.helpline-online.com

Needle Exchange Programs

You can dispose of used syringes or exchange them for new, sterile ones at any of these sites. You can also be referred to medical help, drug treatment, or testing for HIV, STDs, or Hepatitis C.  Needle Exchange is free.