CHARLESTON — Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has collaborated with the capitol police to introduce a prescription drug disposal site at the state capitol, which will allow individuals to safely dispose of expired and unwanted medications.
The new drug disposal site will be permanent as opposed to the prescription drug collection site that is at the capital for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day each year.
"The more drug drop boxes we have, the more people will be encouraged to get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medications, including opioids," Morrisey said. "When people use these drug disposal locations, it can make a difference in the substance abuse epidemic by decreasing the number of pills available."
The disposal site will be at the Division of Protective Services Office, which is located in Building 1, Room 152-A.
The placement of the disposal site is part of the Dispose Responsibly of Prescriptions (DRoP) initiative.
West Virginia Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jeff S. Sandy said the disposal sites can make a big difference.
"Over the years, citizens look forward to the National Drug Take-Back days to get rid of unwanted drugs," Sandy said. "Having a drop-off box at the capitol, where employees and citizens can drop off their no-longer-needed drugs almost every day of the year, is a win-win for our employees, citizens and society."
DRoP, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Public Health Trust, previously awarded drug drop boxes and prescription drug incinerators to law enforcement agencies across the state.
There are DRoP boxes in several sheriff's offices and police departments across the state, including Boone County, Ceredo, Jackson County, Nicholas County, Pleasants County, Roane County and Shepherdstown.
The incinerators are used to destroy unwanted/expired pills and are shared among law enforcement agencies.
The incinerators were awarded to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office; Huntington Police Department; Parkersburg Police Department; and Star City Police Department.