Rx drug drop-off boxes are off to a great start

Last month local law enforcement officials and the Attorney General's Office unveiled a prescription drug drop-off box at the Helena Law Enforcement Center. Helena Police Chief Troy McGee says the program is already off to a great start.

"We planned on maybe emptying it once a month and checking it.  Well, after the first week it was overflowing, we got notified that it was full by some people that wanted to use it so we've been emptying it every week," says Chief Troy McGee.

Operation Medicine Cabinet Montana collects unused or expired prescription medications and disposes of them safely. The Helena drop-off box has collected more than 60 pounds of drugs since it was unveiled at the beginning of November. Chief McGee says the program has exceeded their expectations and has already provided a valuable service to the community.

"We've had quite a few people come in that have had parents die or something else where they've had quite a bit of prescription drugs they just didn't know what to do with and this has been easy for them just to come up and dump them in there and leave," says Chief Troy McGee.

Organizers say some people have also dropped off vitamins and supplements, but those substances do not need to be taken to the drop box.

There are currently ten drop off locations across the state with two more in the works.

Story by Kaelyn Kelly, Beartooth NBC.
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