As drug overdoses continue to rise across the United States, there is an urgent need for prevention efforts at the local level. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 678 Minnesotans died from drug overdoses in 2024. To help address this crisis, the Polk County Opioid Settlement Advisory Council is providing Polk County residents with the Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System for permanent, at-home drug disposal.
Polk County Public Health is distributing Deterra Pouches at each of its offices to help local households safely deactivate and dispose of unwanted medications. Proper medication disposal reduces the risk of medication misuse, accidental ingestion and environmental harm.
“Dependence on prescription painkillers often starts in the home medicine cabinet, where unused and expired medication can be easily accessed by family members and friends,” said Polk County Public Health Wellness Coordinator, Sarah Shimek. “By using these at-home drug deactivation and disposal pouches, we can help prevent substance misuse in Polk County before it starts.”
In a simple 3-step process, a user deactivates drugs by putting them in a Deterra Pouch, adding water, shaking, and throwing away in the household garbage. Each pouch uses organic activated carbon to deactivate up to 15 pills, 2 ounces of liquid, or 2 patches. The plant-based packaging and non-toxic ingredients also prevent harmful chemicals from entering our landfills and water supplies.
Deterra Drug Disposal Pouches are available for free to Polk County residents at all three Polk County Public Health offices and Family Resource Centers:
- Crookston PCPH Office: 816 Marin Ave, Suite 125, Crookston, MN 56716
- Crookston FRC: Crookston Library|110 N Ash St, Crookston, MN 56716
- East Grand Forks PCPH Office: Human Service Center|1424 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
- East Grand Forks FRC: 1505 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
- McIntosh PCPH Office: Bjella Building |240 Cleveland Ave SW, McIntosh, MN 56556
- Fosston FRC: 403 Foss Ave N, Fosston, MN 56542
For more information, contact Sarah Shimek or visit https://www.polkcountymn.gov/546/Opioid-Settlement-Advisory-Council
About Deterra and Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc.
Minneapolis-based Verde Environmental Technologies Inc. is a privately owned company committed to developing research-based scientifically proven solutions to reduce drug misuse and negative environmental impact. The patented Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System is powered by proprietary activated carbon, which deactivates drugs. Deterra is highly effective in adsorbing and firmly binding drugs, rendering them inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment. Visit DeterraSystem.com to learn more.