Destroying Arnold Drugs is Expensive

Arnold has an interesting problem. The police department has obtained and must destroy increasing amounts of drugs.

"The cost of drug disposal is going through the roof," Police Chief Robert Shockey said during the City Council meeting at , at  2101 Jeffco Blvd., earlier in March.

Between illegal drugs seized as evidence or expired prescription drugs disposed at special events, the police department about the spend $1,000 yearly to safely destroy the drugs, Shockey said.

The costs could increase as police officers catch more illegal drug makers and residents dispose more of their medicines.

Instead of paying a contractor to destroy the drugs, Shockey wants the police department to have a portable $4,000 incinerator that would turn the compounds into ash. 

The department would also need a special $500 permit to use the incinerator, Shockey said.

He said the incinerator's total price is a good value considering the higher cost of destroying greater amounts of drugs in four years.

The police department could use a portion of the $28,000 in forfeiture money to buy the incinerator, Shockey said. The department recieves forfeiture money to fight drug abuse in Arnold.

City councilmen would need to approve the purchase in a resolution, City Attorney Bob Sweeney said.

The next Arnold City Council meeting will be on April 5.