Liberty, NY – The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force (a subcommittee of the Rural Health Network led by Sullivan County Public Health Services) is again partnering with the DEA and local law enforcement agencies to announce another Drug Take Back Day to be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at area Police Departments, Catskill Regional Medical Center’s Grover M. Hermann Hospital in Callicoon and the town hall in the Town of Lumberland in Glen Spey.
Nearly 3,000 pounds of unwanted prescription medications have been collected over the past four years as a result of numerous sponsored Take Back Days and the 24/7 availability of Drug Drop Boxes placed throughout the County. Sullivan County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw indicates that Take Back Days continue to be a successful local public health initiative based on collaborative efforts of many agencies working together to combat drug abuse and to ensure our communities are safe through appropriate disposal of unwanted drugs and medications.
“We have not only made an impact on reducing the likelihood of prescription drugs falling into the wrong hands, but have improved access for residents for safe disposal sites,” she states. “The environment is also being protected because people are not flushing them or throwing them in the garbage which ends up in a landfill.”
These medications are safely disposed through a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office on County-sponsored Take Back Days, who transport the medications for incineration.
No questions are asked of those dropping off unwanted pills. They can be sealed in a plastic bag or in vials with labels removed or identifying information crossed out with a magic marker. No liquids or needles can be accepted.
Unwanted pills can be dropped off (one day only) on Saturday, October 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Grover M. Hermann Hospital lobby and the Town of Lumberland Hall.
These permanent locations are available 24/7: the Fallsburg, Liberty, and Monticello Police Departments. A fourth dropoff location is available at the Department of Family Services (Robert Travis Building) in Liberty from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
The Sullivan County Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, a subcommittee of the Rural Health Network, meets at Sullivan County Public Health Services to discuss ideas for prevention strategies and outreach events. For more information please call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910.