Prescription Drug Drop Box
Winthrop Harbor Police Department
Safe, Free, and Anonymous Medication Disposal
The Winthrop Harbor Police Department offers a free, secure prescription drug drop box so residents can safely dispose of unused and expired medications. The service is anonymous and confidential, and no questions are asked.
Why Safe Disposal Matters
Medications left in the home can be misused, stolen, or accidentally taken by children or pets. Many people who misuse prescription drugs get them from the medicine cabinet of a family member or friend.
Flushing medications or throwing them in the trash can also contaminate our water supply and Lake Michigan. The drop box is a safe, simple, and environmentally responsible way to clean out your medicine cabinet.
How to Use the Drop Box
- 1Keep pills in their original containers, or empty them into a sealed plastic bag.
- 2Remove the label or black out your name and personal information with a permanent marker.
- 3Bring the items to the Police Department lobby and place them in the drop box.
What Can Be Dropped Off?
Accepted Items
- Prescription medications, including controlled substances
- Over-the-counter medications
- Vitamins and supplements
- Medication samples
- Pet medications
- Ointments, patches, and creams
Items Not Accepted
- Needles, syringes, lancets, or epinephrine pens (EpiPens)
- Liquid medications
- Inhalers or aerosol cans
- Thermometers
- IV bags or medical waste
- Personal care products such as lotions or shampoos
- Hydrogen peroxide, illegal drugs, or hazardous waste
Other Disposal Options
- National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: The DEA holds collection events each April and October.
- Sharps and needles: Contact your pharmacy, health care provider, or waste hauler about safe sharps disposal. Never place sharps in the drop box.