Got old drugs?

If so, Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless urges people to bring them to his office and get rid of them.

“It’s a box in our lobby where people can legally and safely dispose of unused and unwanted prescription medication,” he said. “The amount of drop-offs have decreased some and I want to remind everyone that this box is there for their convenience and benefit.”

Drop-offs can be made year-round and there is no interaction with a police officer during a drop-off.

Lynn Stewart, adult probation officer, said she recently utilized the drug box.

“After my mother-in-law passed away there was all this leftover medicine,” she said. “We took it down there and dropped it off so it didn’t get into the wrong hands.”

Lawless said one of the biggest advantages of the box being available to residents is property protection.

“People are more likely to break in to a house if they think or know there’s drugs in there,” he said. “Some people watch the obituaries in the paper, find out where the deceased lived, and go after their drugs.”

Once a month, Lawless said, a report is submitted to the state and the drugs are taken to Osco Industries and burnt.