Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
The Cities Blog
Madeleine Baran

Hennepin County takes in 3 tons of unwanted meds in program’s first year

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

About 6,700 pounds of unwanted medicine was collected in the first year of a new Hennepin County disposal program.

The county began installing medicine disposal drop boxes last March. The program now has six boxes in libraries, law enforcement offices and courts.

The self-serve boxes provide an alternative to tossing old meds in the trash, says Lisa Kiava, spokesperson for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

Medication that's thrown in the garbage could end up in public water supplies - or in the hands of people looking to sell or abuse it.

And given the widespread abuse of prescription painkillers, Kiava says, it's important for people to securely dispose of any medication they no longer need.

Many people addicted to prescription painkillers will seek out homes that might have old meds, Kiava says.

"There are cases where people know someone has died of cancer ... and will go and root through their garbage," she says. "People will go to open houses just to search through someone's medicine cabinet."

The disposal program, run by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Hennepin County Environmental Services, incinerates the medication it collects.

(A Hennepin County employee demonstrates how to use the medicine disposal drop box in the lobby of the Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis. Photo courtesy of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office)

Anyone with household medications (with a few exceptions, outlined below) can use the boxes. There's no charge, and you don't need an I.D.

Here are the locations:

Brooklyn Center - Hennepin County District Court Brookdale

6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center

Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.

Brooklyn Park - Hennepin County Sheriff Patrol Headquarters

9401 83rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park

Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Edina - Hennepin County Library - Southdale

7009 York Ave. S., Edina

Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fri. - Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.

Minneapolis - Hennepin County Public Safety Facility

401 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis

Hours: Always open, 24/7

Minnetonka - Hennepin County District Court Ridgedale

12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka

Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fri. - Sat.:10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun.: Noon - 5 p.m.

Spring Park - Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol

4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park

Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The program accepts:

Prescription medicines, including controlled substances

Over-the-counter medicines

Vitamins and supplements

Pet medicines

It does not accept sharps, used syringes, or medicine from businesses.