Published: Jan. 12, 2017
Prescription medication spills out of bottle onto table

On Monday, Jan. 9, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced the addition of 42 medication collection box locations in two dozen counties around the state, including a permanent location at the Ƶ Boulder Police Department and Parking and Transportation lobby.

The average American household has four pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications.Research shows almost 38 percent of teens who abuse prescription drugs find them in their parents’ medicine cabinet.

Safely disposing of medications helps to reduce drug abuse as well as preventing them from harming the water quality and the environment.

“Prescription medication misuse and overdose numbers continue to climb, especially among youth. One simple thing we can all do to help is to dispose of our medications responsibly,” said Department Director and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Larry Wolk. “And it has the added benefit of protecting our water and environment.”

To find additional drop-boxlocations, .