The Pullman Police Department received a $500 donation in the form of a prescription drug drop box from the Pullman Lion’s Club.

The new drop box, located in the lobby of the Pullman Police Department, is a hassle-free and private way to dispose of old and unused prescription drugs. It is accessible 24 hours, every day of the week.

The old drop box lacked sufficient security measures to prevent tampering said Commander of Police Operations Chris Tennant.

“The main change to the old box, when it got full, is you could reach your hand in and remove items,” said Tennant. “The new box is more like a mailbox, with the security flapper, when it is full it won’t take more items.”

Drugs disposed of in the drop box are weighed and sent to Spokane to be incinerated. All types of prescription drugs are accepted and may be disposed of in the original bottle. If worried about privacy, individuals can remove labels from prescription bottles before dropping them off.

The drop box is larger than the old box. The Pullman Police Department has collected and disposed of over 1,725 pounds of prescription drugs since the first drop box was purchased in 2010.

Reporting by Jennifer Forsmann