Police Seek to Incinerate Discarded Prescription Drugs

Fourteen police departments in Rhode Island are considering ways to incinerate discarded prescription drugs.

The Providence Journal reports that medications have piled up in collection boxes and evidence-storage rooms in the nearly five months since the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency ended its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day program.

The program was established to stem prescription drug abuse by removing unwanted drugs from home medicine cabinets. In Rhode Island, nearly 2,500 pounds of discarded prescriptions and other medications were collected during the final take-back day in September.

Law-enforcement officials say incineration is the proper way to dispose of prescription drugs.

At least one company is in the business of removing unwanted medication from sites around the country during the past four years.