UCHealth offers drug disposal option in Fort Collins

Anonymous drop-off box open 24 hours a day.
By:
April 5, 2018

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (April 11, 2018) – UCHealth is providing a convenient way for northern Colorado residents to spring clean their medicine cabinets and get rid of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medication.

The pharmacy at the UCHealth Emergency Room – Harmony Campus, 4630 Snow Mesa Drive,  now has an anonymous drop-off box for unwanted medications to be disposed of in a way that is safe for both the environment and the community.

This is the only 24-hour, year-round drug drop-off location in the Fort Collins and Loveland areas, according to Aaron Hale, a UCHealth pharmacy emergency services manager. Fort Collins Police Services and a couple other pharmacies offer drug drop-off services during business hours as well. These drop-off boxes are offered as a service in addition to National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which typically happens twice a year.

The green drop-off box was recently placed in the lobby of UCHealth’s emergency department in southeast Fort Collins to accept any and all medications as well as any liquid medications, ointments, vitamins, pet medications or patches, Hale said. There are a few items that can not be dropped off: Drugs used for chemotherapy, needles or glass, illegal substances and marijuana.

UCHealth partnered with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on the project. The department supplied the drop-off box in a joint effort to address a very important factor in the nation’s drug epidemic.

Nearly half of people who use heroin reported first abusing prescription drugs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Take-back programs can reduce the risk of unwanted falling into the wrong hands or coming into contact with children.

Also, many health and safety issues arise when these prescription drugs are disposed of incorrectly, such as flushed down the toilet or thrown out in the trash.

Last year’s nationwide Take Back Day in October organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration received a record-breaking 456 tons of unwanted medications to add to the 4,500 tons collected over the life of the program.

For more information about UCHealth’s drug drop-off service, call (970) 237-8140.

 

WHERE TO GO

  • WHAT: UCHealth drug drop-off service
  • WHERE: Pharmacy at UCHealth Emergency Room – Harmony Campus, 4630 Snow Mesa Drive, Fort Collins.
  • DETAILS: Drugs can be dropped off anonymously at this location 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information call (970) 237-8140.
Emergency room Fort Collins Opioids Pharmacy

About the author

Kelly Tracer is a media relations specialist at UCHealth, based in northern Colorado. For nearly 20 years, she worked as a newspaper reporter, editor and designer before diving into the world of health care communications.

She believes there is an amazing story inside everyone and considers it an honor to get to meet and work with so many extraordinary people – patients, families, providers, volunteers and staff – every day. She is also fascinated by health care innovation and programs that empower and inspire people and families to live healthier lives.

A native of Nebraska, Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She and her husband have two children and enjoy paddle boarding all summer and skiing all winter.