Cascade Medical will be the new location for MedSafe drop box

    Cascade Medical will soon be offering a place to dispose of any unwanted medication - anonymously and safely. Starting December 20, there will be a blue MedSafe drop box in Cascade Medical's main admitting lobby, accessible 8 a.m. to 5 p,m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. until noon.
    The MedSafe drop box was formerly at Village Pharmacy, but after the announcement of the impending closure, Cascade Medical offered to host the box.
    “It’s a matter of safety for our children, our community and our environment,” said Shawn Ottley, Chief Clinical Officer. “It’s important to us that Upper Valley residents have a resource to dispose of unused drugs.”
    This drop box is more than a medication "trash can", but is a way to prevent overdose, addiction and environmental contamination, according to the Cascade Medical press release.
    "When families can safely dispose of unused medications, it reduces the likelihood that a child might find a medication and overdose. It reduces the number of people who choose to flush medication into local watersheds, potentially contaminating our drinking water. Prompt medication disposal also reduces the risk of addiction and related crimes," the press release said.
    The MedSafe drop box can take prescribed, over the counter, unused or expired medication. Pills, capsules, ointments, creams, powders, lotions and liquid medicine under 4 ounces. Do not dispose of aerosol spray cans, needles, syringes, batteries, mercury thermometers, or alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.  
    The MedSafe dropbox is intended for disposal of unused or expired medications, prescribed or over-the-counter. Medication can be dropped in the locked metal box and only removed by an authorized collector. MedSafe incinerates all medications to prevent them from cycling back into any potential water source.