Arlington Police Have Collected Over 15,000 Narcotic Pills Through Drop Box Program

Arlington police have now collected over 15,000 narcotic pills through the department’s voluntary drop box program.

In addition to the 15,397 pills, the department has also brought in more than 1,000 pounds of over-the-counter and non-narcotic medications through the program.

Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan announced the milestone last week. The program, which started in June 2012, is run in partnership with the Arlington Youth Health and Safety Coalition.

Arlington’s director of health and human services, Christine Bongiorno, said she has been overwhelmed at the success of the program. “Misusing prescriptions is a leading contributor to drug addiction,” she said in a statement, “and this program has gone a long way toward removing the temptation from medicine cabinets.”

Residents looking to get rid of unused, unwanted or expired medications can bring them to the drop box at Arlington Police Headquarters, 112 Mystic St., 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The disposal box is for medications only. The department runs a separate program for needles/sharps, lancets and EpiPens.