Maryland State Police encourages community members to drop off unwanted pills on national drug take back day

SALISBURY, Md. – Opioid addiction has touched the lives of millions of people across the nation, and in Wicomico County, the epidemic claims the lives of dozens of people, each year.

A local law enforcement agency is trying to combat the issue, one drop-off at a time.

“It’s been a good experience,” Sargeant Kevin Mareck, with the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack, said. “We see more and more people bringing stuff into the barrack and dropping it off.”

Two drop off containers sit in the lobby of the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack. One for pills, and one for needles.
Sergeant Mareck said even on a smaller scale, each surrendered pill or needle can make a big difference.

“When we first started out, we just had the prescription drop off, and then it turned into a sharps container, which is beneficial for everyone,” Sargeant Mareck.

Lieutenant and Barack commander, John Revel, said the boxes give the community a one-stop-shop to get rid of all those unwanted prescription pills and used needles, to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

“We’ve had the boxes here for a few years. Before, people were coming here, and we really didn’t know where to tell them to take them,” Lieutenant Revel said.  “Now, we have a place to do it.”

If you are looking to drop off any unwanted pills, Lieutenant Revel has one request.

“All we ask is that they put it in the proper Dropbox. There’s a red one for sharps, and there’s a green one for the prescription medications,” Lieutenant Revel said.