The drop boxes can be accessed anonymously 24-hour a day. For those unable to take their medications to a drop box, an alternative method is to place the medication in a baggie with an inedible but biodegradable substance -— such as coffee grounds, cat litter or dirt — and to throw the baggie in the household garbage. 

Locations in Haywood County:

• Canton Police Department – 58 Park St.

• Clyde Police Department – 8437 Carolina Blvd.

• Waynesville Police Department – 9 S. Main St. (behind the station on Church Street)

Opioids and antibiotics, along with chemicals like detergent, synthetic hormones, sunscreen and insect repellent, are called pharmaceutical and personal care products (or PPCP’s for short). When they leak into water systems by way of flushing and dumping, they contaminate the water and damage the wildlife within. These chemicals can cause growth defects in frogs, fishes and other species. The effects of these chemicals on humans are still being studied, but they may be linked to tumors, cancer and developmental growth defects. 

For more information, visit ncosfm.gov/community-risk-reduction/operation-medicine-drop.