Erie County Legislator Joseph Lorigo announces two opportunities for residents to properly dispose of medications and needles in April.

“These drug take back events are extremely important to our community. Storing expired or unnecessary medications in your home increases the risks of abuse and accidental poisoning, especially in young children. Residents are also asked not to flush medications down the toilet or dump liquid drugs down their drains.  This causes problems for our waterways and impacts drinking water,” said Legislator Lorigo. “Drugs, as well as needles, brought to the collection events are disposed of properly.”

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, Erie County will host a Free Drive-Thru Disposal event to collect medications and needles. All prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as needles will be accepted, no questions asked. The Drive-Thru Disposal event will be held at the Erie County Fire Training Academy, located at 3359 Broadway, Cheektowaga.

This event is being held at a time when Erie County is dealing with a severe heroin addiction problem and all residents with medications or needles are encouraged to remove them from their home and drop them off at this event.

Also happening in April, several local sites will be participating in a large drug collection event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Any unwanted or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications, syringes, inhalers, liquids, ointments, patches, etc. can be dropped off.

The following locations, in and around Legislator Lorigo’s district, are participating:

• West Seneca Senior Center, 4620 Seneca St., West Seneca
• Sisters of Charity, St. Joseph’s Campus, 2605 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga
• Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, 224 E. Main St., Springville

For a complete list of locations, please CLICK HERE. 

Legislator Lorigo also reminds residents that the Erie County Sheriff’s Office maintains prescription collection boxes that are available throughout the county, including Erie County Community College’s three campuses, Colden Town Hall, Elma Town Hall and Marilla Town Hall. Thousands of pounds of drugs and needles have been properly disposed of through this program. For a list of locations, please visit CLICK HERE. Residents can drop off medications when it is convenient for them.

For additional information or questions about a county issue, please contact Legislator Lorigo at 858-8922 or e-mail joseph.lorigo@erie.gov.