Chisago County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with Chisago County Environmental Services, offers one of the first drug takeback programs in the State.  Residents are encouraged to bring their unused or expired medications to the Sheriff's Office and place them in the secure repository. 

 

This program was started to combat a rising trend in water pollution  In the past people were told to flush unused medications, but research shows that the toilet may be the least environmentally friendly method of disposal.  Current technology at wastewater treatment plants does not remove the drug compounds from the wastewater.  These compounds pass right through and are showing up in increasing frequency in our lakes, streams and rivers.  Chronic environmental exposure to these drug compounds creates various problems in nature such as endocrine (hormone) disruption, antibiotic resistance, and reproductive effects including the feminization of male fish.

 

In May and June alone we took in approximately 115 pounds of unused medication.   This not only saves on the environment by keeping these medications out of the ground water, but it also removes the tempation from children or others who may abuse these medications. 

 

Please contact Deputy Karl Schreck at 651-213-6365 if you have questions about the program.