Modified: December 12, 2016 4:22pm
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PRESS RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein
December 12, 2016
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
Successful Drug Drop-Off
Unused & Unwanted Drugs Safely Disposed of by Burning
ERIE COUNTY, NY—The Erie County Departments of Health (“ECDOH”), Environmental Planning and Sheriff’s Office collaborated on a successful drug drop-off last Monday, December 5th. 2,600 pounds of drugs were collected at the Erie County Emergency Services Training & Operations Center in Cheektowaga. Both prescription and over the counter drugs, pills and other solids, like patches, as well as liquids, needles or other “sharps” were accepted for environmentally safe disposal.
“Unused medication in the home is a public health and safety risk. These medications can be accidentally ingested if mistaken for another drug, misused by other family members or visitors to your house and possibly make your home a target for theft,” said Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “I commend our team that efficiently handled 291 cars in eight hours in brisk outdoor weather and everyone who did their part by bringing their medications for disposal.”
The items collected were safely burned at Covanta Niagara in Niagara Falls, on December 6, 2016. Another drug drop-off event will be held in early 2017. Medications and sharps can also be discarded safely year-round using the network of kiosks that are part of the Extended Syringe Access Program (“ESAP”) and Medication Disposal sites. For a list of locations, click here.
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For more information:
Erie County Department of Health
ECDOH Medication Disposal & Needle Access and Disposal Sites