A new drug drop-off box located in the lobby of the Donald Clark Justice Center has been established by the Joplin Police Department, 303 Third St. All citizens, regardless of residency, now have the option of disposing of unused, unwanted, surplus and expired drugs by disposing of them in this box. Deposits may be made anonymously between 8 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Friday except on city designated holidays. Police officers will take possession of the drugs placed in the box and dispose of them through incineration.

This free service is provided by the sponsorship of the Environmental Task Force of Jasper and Newton counties, Crowder College Career Institute, Missouri Department of Transportation and a partnership between the Alliance of Southwest Missouri-Safe Teens Initiative and the city of Joplin.

Crystal Ipock-Ludiker, Safe Teens coordinator said, "We are doing this because teen prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse is on the rise. Surprisingly, research shows that teens get the drugs from family medicine cabinets!"

The program does not accept syringes, lancets, needles (also known as sharps) or illicit controlled substances (such as marijuana or methamphetamine.) For sharps disposal methods, contact Joplin City Hall at (417) 624-0820 Ext. 501. If individuals find or desire to surrender an illicit controlled substance, they should call Joplin Police at (417) 623-3131 rather than risk handling or transporting the substances. Police will respond and handle such materials as abandoned property in accordance with their standard policy.

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