March 19, 2024

Newton Police Department opens medication drop box

Drop box available during business hours

The Newton Police Department announced Monday the placement of a permanent medication drop box located inside the lobby of the police department.

Police Chief Rob Burdess said the drop box was made possible through a small grant from the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy to address the increasing problem of prescription drug abuse.

The drop box will be accessible to the public during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Prescription drug abuse is Iowa’s fastest-growing form of substance abuse, and addiction to powerful pain relievers is also fueling more heroin use.

Prescription pain pills and heroin are both opioid drugs. The combination is contributing to an increase in opioid-related overdose deaths in Iowa and the U.S.

“Many people become addicted to prescription drugs because they started using a family member’s leftover prescriptions. Once addicted, some of these individuals may then eventually move to heroin to fulfill that addiction,” Burdess said.

Steve Lukan, director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy said his office is pleased to partner with the Newton Police Department in providing citizens a secure and environmentally responsible option to dispose of unused prescription drugs, thus preventing their potential diversion and abuse.

“Most prescription drugs that are abused come from friends or family, so cleaning out medicine cabinets can save lives,” Lukan said.

Residents who utilize the medication drop box are asked to place all medications in sealed non-breakable containers and are requested to not include any “sharps” (syringes or lancets) or any other item that could cause injury to police department staff servicing the drop box.