Narcotics Bureau Drug & Syringe Drop-off Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

In the County of Los Angeles, millions of pounds of home-generated waste such as prescription medications, illicit drugs and syringes are being disposed of improperly. As many as 3 billion syringes alone are used each year outside health care facilities. This creates a significant health risk to everyone, especially sanitation and landfill workers. In addition, surface waters, ground water and the ocean are being polluted by these drugs and the leakage from leftover liquid contained in used syringes. The practice of flushing drugs down the drain and improperly disposing of syringes can have an adverse impact on aquatic wildlife as well. Wastewater treatment plants are not able to test or treat for pharmaceuticals and or other illicit drugs. Therefore, the drugs end up in rivers, streams, lakes, groundwater systems and oceans. A community program was needed to educate the public and provide an economical, convenient and safe way to dispose of these drugs and syringes properly. Metal collection containers, which were customized by the Department’s metal shop from U.S. Mailboxes, were placed outside 21 Sheriff’s Stations for the sole purpose of collecting prescription drugs, illegal substances and syringes. Each station has three individual collection boxes that are clearly marked and color coded so that the public will know what items go into which box. The decals on the collection boxes were provided by the Department’s Graphic Arts Department and Los Angeles County Public Works Department. The collection boxes are located in areas accessible to the public at each of the respective stations. These collection boxes are provided free of charge to its citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Brochures of the program were developed and placed in the stations lobbies to provide the public with further information regarding the program. The Drug and Syringe Drop-Off Program is now beginning its third year in existence. This program is a leading example of an innovative drug and syringe collection program. This project was implemented without funding from the County of Los Angeles or Sheriff’s Department and coordinated with on-going and existing narcotics casework. This project was also implemented without any additional personnel to oversee and maintain this program.