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Residents raise alarm after school‑year canister removed; sheriff’s office points to nearest location
Summary
Residents told council Sept. 9 that the drop‑off canister for unused prescription medications at the local police station had been removed; the sheriff’s office said disposal and disposal‑cost decisions were made above the local level and recommended a nearby CVS in Ventura as the nearest drop location.
Multiple residents told the Ojai City Council on Sept. 9 that an unattended prescription‑medication drop‑off canister that had previously been available at a local public safety facility is no longer in place.
Resident Leonard Clafe and others urged the council to restore a local drop option to avoid improper disposal into the wastewater system. Clafe said he had found pharmacies that formerly accepted medications no longer doing so.
Sheriff’s office answer: The sheriff’s representative said the canister had been removed and that the removal decision was made above the local station level. The sheriff’s representative said several pharmacies that used to accept medications have stopped that practice and reported that the nearest location currently identified for disposal is a CVS in Ventura. He said secure collection and proper hazardous waste disposal carry costs for collection and disposal; he offered to provide council with details of which locations still accept medications and the associated costs.
Why it matters: Proper disposal of unused medications is a public‑health and environmental measure aimed at reducing drug diversion and contamination of water supplies.
Ending: Council and public‑safety staff agreed to follow up and provide a public list of current local disposal options and to investigate options for a local secure drop box or program.
