Press release
Prescription medications are generally safe, but only when they are taken as prescribed and for the intended purpose. When they are abused (taken in ways that are not prescribed) they can cause an array of negative health effects, including overdose and death.
Given the growing number of people abusing prescription drugs, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies have worked together for the past 9 years to provide communities a safe location to drop off medications.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. The DEA hosts a no-questions asked Take-Back event twice per year where temporary collection sites are set up in local cities throughout the nation for safe disposal of prescription drugs, including opioids.
At the last Take-Back Day in April 2019,over 6,200 sites across the nation collected unwanted or expired medications totaling 937,443 lbs. (468.72 tons)
In New York State, there were 42,565 collection sites totaling 657,926 lbs.(328.963 tons)of unwanted medications1.“This initiative addresses a vital public health and public safety issue.”
“Far too often, medications that are no longer needed remain in our medicine cabinets at home. The accessibility of these unused medications can provide easy access to children, adults, elderly and visitors who may misuse or abuse them.” explains Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans Counties.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. In 2018, there were 37 opioid related deaths within the Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming (GOW) counties and 186 emergency department visits due to drug overdoses2. Commonly misused prescription drugs include but are not limited to: barbiturates, benzodiazepines and sleep medications, opioid and morphine-based pain relievers, amphetamines, ADHD medications and DXM found in cough syrups
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, October 26th from 10:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m.
Local law enforcement and safety personnel will be accepting prescription pills, needles and pet medication at various sites across the GOW Counties.
Genesee County:
City of Batavia Police Department, 10 WestMain Street, Batavia
Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Pembroke Town Highway, Route 5, Pembroke.
Le Roy Police Department, 3 West Main Street, Le Roy.
Orleans:
Holley Fire Department, 7 Thomas Street, Holley
Medina Fire Department, 600 Main Street, Medina
Orleans Public Safety Building, 13925 NY-31, Albion
Wyoming:
Attica Police Department, 43 Exchange Street, Attica
Perry Police Department, 46 North Main Street, Perry
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department, 151 North Main Street, Warsaw
For more information on the GOW Opioid Task Force, please visit our websiteand follow us on Facebook.