The following is a republished press release and NOT written by the Ithaca Voice … click here to submit community announcements directly to The Voice, or contact us at tips@ithacavoice.com.
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal has announced three collection locations for the Fall Take-Back Event on Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.:
- Enfield Valley Grange Hall, 178 Enfield Main Rd.;
- Tompkins County Public Safety Building, 779 Warren Rd.; and
- Kinney Drug, 513 N Cayuga St, Ithaca.
Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and an Ithaca Police Department officer will be on-site to take custody of outdated or otherwise unwanted pharmaceuticals for safe destruction. This event is conducted in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Take-Back Initiative.
“Using this take-back event—or one of our year-round drop boxes—is the best way to safely dispose of unwanted and outdated medications in your home. Doing so helps prevent illegal diversion, accidental poisoning, and environmental contamination.” says Ed Gottlieb, pre-treatment coordinator at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, and chair of the Coalition, which has sponsored drug take-back events since 2010.
“I’m so pleased that the Enfield Town Board and the Enfield community have so quickly come together to make this Medication Disposal Day happen in Enfield, says Town of Enfield Supervisor Ann Rider, member of the Coalition. “It has been several years since this event has been in Enfield, and I want to thank the Grange for offering space, local residents for committing time to staff the event, and the County for promoting it. It will help to keep our water supply safe and ensure that prescription drugs stay out of the hands of unscrupulous people.”
“Over-the-counter, prescription, and pet medications are all accepted.” explained Susan Dunlop, Community Health Nurse, at the Tompkins County Health Department and member of the Coalition. “Even liquid medications, in tightly capped bottles, are accepted at events and drop boxes.” Needles and other “sharps” are not accepted.
Drop box locations and hours, along with disposal guidelines, are posted at the Coalition’s web page at http://www.healthyyouth.org/medication-disposal.php, and also are available by calling 2-1-1. What can, and cannot, be placed in the box is also posted at each drop box location.
Featured image: “Meds” by Charles Williams is licensed under CC BY 2.0