Bourbon County residents now have access to disposing of unwanted medications in Fort Scott during the local Walgreen Store hours.

This is thanks to a new partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Walgreens.

“Having access to this kiosk (in Walgreen) is a great way for those living in Fort Scott to safely dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired medications — prescription or over-the-counter,” Mary Beth Chamber, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas Corporate Communications Manager said in a press release. ” Properly disposing of medications can lower the incidence of misuse, abuse and accidental poisonings. This is especially important as we face a growing opioid epidemic in Kansas.”

There is no cost for the disposal.

The kiosk in Walgreens Fort Scott is located in the northeast section of the store, near the pharmacy window.

Accepted items for the kiosk: prescriptions, inhalers, liquids, lotions, pet medications, prescription patches, over-the-counter ointments, creams, aerosol cans, medications, and vitamins.

Not accepted are hydrogen peroxide, illicit drugs, needles, and thermometers.

The store hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

In addition to Fort Scott Walgreen, the kiosks are available in  Walgreen stores in the following communities: Derby, Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, and Ottawa.

Since 2016 more than 270 tons of unwanted medications have been collected in the program, according to the press release.