Salem Police Department
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95 Margin Street, Salem, MA 01970 •  Request for Police 978-744-1212 •  Business 978-744-0171 •  In an Emergency, ALWAYS DIAL 911

Prescription Drug Return & Disposal Program

In September of 2010 the Department's Community Impact Unit, working with the Drug Enforcement Administration, participated in the DEA's nationwide "Operation Med Sweep" Program. The one day event allowed residents to safely dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medications.

The program was met with such success that the Community Impact Unit has now initiated its own "Prescription Drug Return and Disposal Program". This program is now in effect year round. The C.I.U. hopes that anyone with medication they no longer need will take advantage of this safe way to dispose of it. By participating in this program, residents will be making sure their unwanted pills and medication don’t end up in a landfill or the City’s water supply. They will also be removing medication that could be abused, like pain-killers, from their homes.

Accepted Items Include:

Most typical pills/medications/drugs are accepted, however NO prescription bottles are accepted, please use a sealable plastic bag.

  • Prescription and Over-The-Counter medication.
  • Medication samples
  • Vitamins
  • Veterinary medications
  • Narcotics
  • Liquid Medications

Examples of Items NOT Accepted Include:

  • Syringes / Needles / Sharps
  • Prescription Bottles or Empty Containers
  • Thermometers
  • IV bags
  • Bloody or Infectious Waste
  • Personal Care Products
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Inhalers

Returning and Disposing of Items

NO HAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE, PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES or SHARPS/NEEDLES ACCEPTED

The secure depository is located in the lobby of Police Headquarters with instructions and sealable plastic bags. For directions to the Salem Police Station, please visit This Page.

Salem Police Department 95 Margin Street, Salem, MA 01970 •  Request for Police 978-744-1212 •  Business 978-744-0171 •  In an Emergency, ALWAYS DIAL 911