4/27/2009

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office and local fire departments plan “Operation Medicine Cabinet” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16 to help people dispose of expired or unwanted medicines — prescription or over-the-counter. “Anything they don’t want, I would encourage them to bring them in and we’ll dispose of them,” Kochanowski said. The collection is open to anyone, regardless of where they live, he said. People are asked to dump their unused and unwanted pills into a plastic bag for disposal, but it’s not required. Medications will be accepted at the sheriff’s office, 251 N. 10th; Salina Fire Station No. 3, 2633 Belmont; Fire Station No. 4, 669 Briarcliff; New Cambria City Building; Assaria Community Building; Brookville City Building; Fire District No. 1, Gypsum; Fire District No. 6, Smolan; and the Fire District No. 3 Hedville Station, 2911 N. Hedville. Proper disposal keeps water supplies safe, keeps drugs out of landfills and out of the reach of children and pets and prevents prescription medications from being used illegally, according to Kochanowski. Kochanowski said he is considering another collection date in three months. “I’m looking at a way for people to come in anytime Monday through Friday and turn in their unwanted medicines at the sheriff’s office,” he said. “First I want to see how the people accept it.”