The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (April 15, 2015) – In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Sullivan County Public Health Services will be collecting unwanted pharmaceuticals at their display table at the Sullivan County Community College Earth Day event.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office will be partnering with Public Health to take back unwanted pills from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon only.

Citizens, students and staff who drop off any unwanted medication will receive a free gift.

The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, (a subcommittee of the Rural Health Network led by Sullivan County Public Health Services), is also partnering again with local law enforcement agencies and the Recovery Center to announce another Drug Take Back Day to be held Saturday, April 25 at local police stations and the NYS Troopers’ barracks in Narrowsburg.

Unwanted pills can be dropped off on April 25 from 12:00 -2:00 p.m. only at the New York State Police Barracks (Troop F, Zone 1) at 6509 State Route 97, Narrowsburg, and at the Fallsburg, Liberty and Monticello police stations from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Well over 500 pounds of unwanted prescription medications have been collected over the past year 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 and being abused or sold on the streets, but have improved access for residents for safe disposal sites. 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 of through a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office on county sponsored Take Back Days, who transport the medications for incineration in Poughkeepsie. 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.

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, call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910, ext. 2222.