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City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Eidsness, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 Fax 952-826-0389 www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Police Department Starts Medication Disposal Program
Edina, Minn., Jan. 22, 2016 – To combat prescription drug abuse and provide residents with a safe way to
dispose of unwanted medication, the Edina Police Department is offering a medication disposal program.
“Throughout the years, we’ve seen an increase in heroin use in the Twin Cities,” said Police Chief Dave
Nelson. “Prescription painkillers can be a gateway to heroin use and we want to do everything we can to curb
that abuse.”
Nelson said burglars often look for prescription painkillers during break-ins to use or sell on the street, as
well. Removing these unused and expired medications from your home eliminates that possibility. Also,
properly deposing of medications prevents the chemicals from entering our ground and drinking water, which
can happen when medications are flushed down the toilet or drain. Properly disposing of medication also
ensures they are kept away from children and pets.
With a donation from the Edina Crime Prevention Fund, the Police Department was able to purchase the 90-
pill medication disposal bags that contain activated carbon, which neutralizes the medication. The bags can
also neutralize 12 ounces of liquid medication and 12 transdermal patches.
“This critically important program provides a service to the community that can be used by all residents of
Edina,” said Brad Beard, Edina Crime Prevention Fund Board Member and President of Fairview Southdale
Hospital, who also mentioned that it’s important to educate the public on properly disposing medication.
Those using the program should place the medication in the bag, fill it halfway with warm water, wait 30
seconds and seal the bag. It will then be safe to discard the bag in a trash receptacle at home. Medication
disposal bags are available for pick up Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Police
Department, 4801 W. 50th St. and Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave.
Large quantities of medication may be brought to one of six Hennepin County drop box locations.
For more information about the Edina Police Department and a list of the Hennepin County drop off sites,
visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Police or call 952-826-1610.
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