by Leah Justice
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was recently granted approval from the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration to begin collecting unwanted controlled substances from the public.

The sheriff’s office recently acquired a pill collection box, now located at the sheriff’s office.
“The intent of the medicine permanent collection box program is to provide citizens a convenient and safe way of disposing of unneeded and unwanted medications from their homes,” said Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill, “thereby reducing the possibility for accidental or intentional mis-use. This program also provides an environmentally safe alternative to disposing of medications in community landfills, sewer and septic systems.”
Several times a year the sheriff’s office and local police departments provide a medication drop-off, located at different sites around the county for a day. The sheriff’s office obtaining its own pill drop box allows residents to drop off unwanted medications more conveniently anytime the sheriff’s office is open.
Medications accepted include:
Prescription medications, cold and flu medicines, pain relievers, cough syrup, topical ointments, vitamins and pet medications.
Items not accepted include any type of needles or syringes.
Medications can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the front office of the sheriff’s office, located at 40 Ward Street in Columbus.
For more information, contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 828-894-3001.