S.A.F.E. (Safe Alternative for Everyone) ~ Goodhue County Prescription Drug Disposal Program

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The Chemical Health Initiative partnered with local Law Enforcement, Goodhue County Public Health and other key contacts to bring the citizens of Goodhue County a prescription drug disposal program.  Prescription and over-the-counter medications are creating both a public health and an environmental issue.  Mis-use/abuse of medications is an alarming and growing trend.  Too many teens and young adults are using medications not prescribed for them; pain killers such as OxyCotin and Vicodin, anti-anxiety medications and stimulants.  The S.A.F.E. program is a way to get rid of any unneeded medications in family medicine cabinets or elsewhere in the home.  Improper disposal of medications is also creating environmental issues by tainting groundwater, rivers and streams.  Fish and other wildlife are showing signs of undesired changes due to exposure to medications.

The goal of this project was and is to provide the citizens of Goodhue County a secure location where they can properly dispose of outdated or unneeded medications - prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and animal medications.

There are two drop off locations available, one in Red Wing located in the front entrance of the Goodhue County Law Enforcement Center and the other in Wanamingo at the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office.    Below are the addresses of the drop off locations:

Goodhue County Law Enforcement Center—Lobby:  Red Wing Site 430 West 6th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066 Available 24 Hrs.

Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office: Wanamingo Site                      401 Main Street, Wanamingo, MN 55983 Available Monday-Friday 8am—4:30pm

 

Coming soon to the communities of Cannon Falls and Zumbrota in Spring 2012!

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2011 Fall Prescription Drug Take Back Event ~ October 29th, 2011

The communities of Goodhue County hosted a prescription drug take back event on Saturday, October 29th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  The purpose of the event was to encourage residents of Goodhue County to properly dispose of unused prescription and over the counter drugs before they fall into the wrong hands.  Members of local law enforcement and CHI Community Council members participated in this successful event. 

Local Community Collection Sites

Red Wing Law Enforcement Center 420 W.  6th Street Red Wing, MN

Cannon Falls Cannon Falls Police Department 918 River Road Cannon Falls, MN

Kenyon Kenyon Police Department 713 2nd Street Kenyon, MN

Zumbrota City Hall ~ Police Department Lobby 50 W. 2nd Street Zumbrota, MN

Goodhue Goodhue City Hall 403 N. Broadway Street Goodhue, MN

Lake City Police Department Lobby 209 S. High Street Lake City, MN

Accepted Medications Prescription Medications Over-the-Counter Medications Narcotics and Other Controlled Substances Medication Samples Pet Medications Vitamins Liquid Medication in Glass or Leak-proof  Containers Medicated Ointments or Lotions Inhalers

Not Accepted Medications Bloody or Infectious Waste Personal Care Products Hydrogen Peroxide Aerosole Cans Thermometers IV Bags Needles or Other Sharps Empty Containers Business Waste

Reference Documentation:
Press Release            2011 Take Back Event Flyer                General Information           Rx Drug Take Back Event Presentation

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We encourage all citizens to go through their cabinets and dispose of any prescription or over-the-counter medication that is no longer needed or in use.

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