Take the SerPIE Survey

People can misuse over-the-counter and prescription drugs like opioids that are often readily accessible inside the home, particularly during stressful times. This is one of the reasons why enhanced outreach is necessary to safely remove unwanted and expired medications from households worldwide.

Unfortunately, improper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) is harmful to the environment. PPCPs make their way into the environment by traveling through sewer systems and arriving at wastewater treatment facilities that are not equipped to completely remove them from the water. As a result, compounds left in treated water can cycle back into drinking water.

Humans, on the other hand, must take an active role in eliminating PPCPs from the environment since they are responsible for their existence. One way to do that is to use prescription drop boxes.

Prescription Drop Boxes

Prescription drop boxes are one of the best ways to eliminate unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication. Contact your local police department or pharmacy to find the nearest drop box in your area. You can also visit the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website or Google Maps to find a site near you. Make sure all medication labels have been removed from pill bottles or containers and placed in a plastic bag before dropping them off at a designated site. Animal medications for pets or livestock are also accepted.

Through the SerPIE program, Alabama Extension partners with local law enforcement and other agencies to establish drop boxes for prescription and over-the-counter medication and personal care products. Drop boxes are available at the following sites across Alabama. 

SET 1 (Northwest)

University of North Alabama (Lauderdale County)

University of North Alabama (Lauderdale County)
Guillot University Center
Aderholt Way
Florence, Alabama 35630
256.765.4328
Drop Box Link

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office (Lawrence County)
242 Parker Road
Moulton, Alabama 35650
(334) 774-2335
WHNT News Link

Town Creek Police Department (Lawrence County)
15935 Main Street
Town Creek, Alabama 35672
(256) 685-3344
WHNT News Link

Limestone County Sheriff’s Department 
101 W Elm Street
Athens, Alabama 35611
(256) 232-0111
The News Courier Link

SET 2 (Northeast)

Alabama A&M University (Madison County)
Department of Public Safety
University Services Building
4900 Meridian Street North
Huntsville, Alabama 35811
(256) 372-5555

Huntsville Police Department – North Precinct (Madison County)
4014 N Memorial Pkwy
(256) 746-4100
Huntsville, Alabama 35810
Fox 54 News Video

Huntsville Police Department – South Precinct (Madison County) 
7900 Bailey Cove Rd SE
Huntsville, Alabama 35810
(256) 213-4500

Etowah Sheriff’s Department 
827 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, Alabama 35901
(256) 549-8127
Facebook Video

SET 4 (West Central)

Bibb County Sheriff’s Department 
157 SW Davidson Drive
Centreville, Alabama 35035
(205) 926-4683

Moody Fire Department (St. Clair County)
670 Park Avenue
Moody, Alabama 35004
(205) 640-0350
Photo

Woodstock Police Department (Bibb County)
28513 Highway 5
Woodstock, Alabama 35188
(205) 938-9790

SET 6 (Southwest)

University of South Alabama (Mobile County)
Police Department
Beta/Gamma Commons Building
290 Jaguar Boulevard
Mobile, Alabama 36688
(251) 460-6312

SET 7 (Southeast)

Dale County Police Department
113 West Reynolds Street
Ozark, Alabama 36360
(334) 774-2335

Daleville Police Department (Dale County)
730 South Daleville Avenue
Daleville, Alabama 36322
(334) 598-4442

Dothan Police Department (Houston County)
210 North Saint Andrews Street
Dothan, Alabama 36303
(334) 615-3000
Press Release

Enterprise City Hall (Coffee County) 
501 S Main Street
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
(334) 347-1211
News Release

Eufaula Police Department (Barbour County)
545 East Barbour Street
Eufaula, Alabama 36027
(334) 687-1200

Geneva County Courthouse 
200 North Commerce
Geneva, Alabama 36340
(334) 684-5660

Headland Police Department (Henry County)
9 Park Street
Headland, Alabama 36345-1745
(334) 693-2222
Drug Box Info

Slocomb Police Department (Geneva County)
263 E Lawrence Harris Hwy
Slocomb, Alabama 36375
(334) 886-3333

Troy Police Department (Pike County)
300 E. Elm Street
Troy, Alabama 36081
(334) 566-0500
The Messenger Article

More Information

You can also visit the Lock Your Meds website for resources and take the Lock Your Meds Pledge.

For more information about Urban Extension environmental programs, contact Extension Environmental Specialist Karnita Garner at (256) 372-8331 or visit the Natural Resources page.