QUINCY - The Quincy Police Department has opened a secure prescription medication take back drop box just outside of the PD building.

This drop box will be available to the public 24 hours a day. It is sponsored by the City of Quincy, Quincy Police Department, Quincy Communities that Care, Safe Kids Grant County and Grant County Health District

"The medication take back program offers a safe way to get rid of unwanted prescription, over the counter medicines and animal medications," Safe Kids Coordinator Maria Vargas said.

Police departments do not take inventory of the products or look at the prescription labels. They lift the bag out of the lock box, tie off the top, and safely incinerate the products along with other drugs held in police custody.

According to Vargas, unused drugs kept in medicine cabinets, tossed in the garbage, or flushed down the toilet or drain can be serious threats to health and environment. Proper removal keeps them out of the water supply and reduces accidental poisoning and prescription drug abuse, especially among children and teenagers.

This is the third drop box located in Grant County. Warden Police Department will be working with Safe Kids Grant County and the Health District to install the fourth drop box this year.

Since the first drop box opened in 2011, more than 625 pounds of medications have been safely removed from Grant County homes.