Medication / Drug Disposal

Please, do not flush your medications!

Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting our waters, impacting aquatic species, and contaminating our food and water supplies.

In homes that use septic tanks, prescription and over-the-counter drugs flushed down the toilet can leach into the ground and seep into groundwater.

In homes that are connected to sewers, prescription and over-the-counter drugs poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet can pass through the treatment system and enter rivers and lakes. They may flow downstream to serve as sources for community drinking water supplies. Water treatment plants are generally not equipped to routinely remove medicines.

Most medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems.  Scientists have found medicines in surface, ground, and marine waters as well as soils and sediments.  Even at very low levels, medicines in the environment hurt aquatic life.

Please dispose of them properly.

It is s sensible way to reduce the number of medicines entering the environment.

DEA National Drug Take Back Days

Held on a Saturday in the month of April and October at the Community Center.

The date and information will be posted on the News page.  New, expired, and open medications are accepted.

For more information, visit the DEA website.

Medication Drop Box

Located in the lobby of the Meriden Police Department, 50 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451.

For the general public only.  Now you can safely, legally, and securely dispose of expired and no longer needed prescriptions and medications on an ongoing basis, 24/7/365.

Accepted Items:

  • Prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter medication
  • Medication samples
  • Medication for pets
  • Liquid medication in glass or sealed containers
  • Medicated ointments and lotions
  • Narcotics
  • Vitamins

Items not Accepted:

  • Personal care products
  • Needles/lancets/syringes
  • Thermometers
  • IV bags/empty containers
  • Bloody /infectious waste
  • Hydrogen peroxide containers
  • Aerosol cans