OXFORD – The Oxford Police Department is now offering a drop box for anyone wishing to dispose of medications.

The OPD partnered with the New York State Department of Health and its New York State Medical Dropbox Program on Wednesday. This means that anyone looking to dispose of expired, unwanted, or discontinued prescription medications, medicated ointments, pet medications, or over-the-counter medications can now do so at the OPD, located at 20 LaFayette Park in Oxford.

Authorities said this can be done anonymously when an officer is on duty. If an officer is not available, authorities said that one can be dispatched to return to the office by contacting the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office at 334-2000. An appointment may be scheduled by contacting the Oxford Police Department at 843-2333.

OPD Chief Richard Nolan said that this service is not available to pharmacies or other medical facilities when one is looking to dispose of prescription medications.

“Prescription drug misuse and abuse is a major public health issue in New York State and across our nation,” said Nolan. “In fact, prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic, with 15,000 dying every year due to prescription painkiller overdoses alone, a rate that is only increasing. In 2010, approximately one in nine people between the ages of 12 to 25 reported misusing prescription medication; and 25 percent of those were reported to have developed an addiction.”