PRESS RELEASE

From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein

Date: April 20, 2017                                

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Unused, Unwanted Drugs Can Be Surrendered on April 29th between 10 am – 2 pm

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) strongly encourages all residents to take advantage of the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted drugs at the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. On Saturday, April 29th, from 10am—2pm, ECDOH, numerous local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) will collaborate to prevent pill abuse and theft by helping the public rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription (and over-the-counter) drugs.

During last October’s Take Back Day, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs nationally at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA, in collaboration with 4,000+ state and local law enforcement partners.  In Erie County alone, 5 tons of drugs were turned in for disposal during just the October 2016 event. Overall in 2016 in Erie County, 19 tons—or 38,000 pounds--of drugs were collected for proper disposal.

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “Unused medications in a home are a public health and safety concern. These medications can be accidentally ingested if mistaken for another drug, misused or abused by other family members or visitors to your house and even make your home a target for theft.”

In addition, an increased effort is being made to educate the public that previously used methods for disposing of unused medicines—by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose significant safety and health hazards to the entire community.

There are 12 collections sites throughout Erie County. To find a nearby collection site, visit http://www.dea.gov and click on the “Take Back Day” link. Residents without internet access can also call 800-882-9539 to find the nearest site. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites--liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted. 

Burstein concluded: “This service is free and anonymous and no questions will be asked. We also want to thank all of our law enforcement partners for their cooperation in administering and staffing the drop-off locations. Their assistance is invaluable in helping to properly dispose of these potentially harmful drugs.” 

In addition, ECDOH, through its Expanded Syringe Access Program (“ESAP”) maintains a network of stand-alone kiosks throughout Erie County that accept drugs, syringe/sharps or both drugs and syringe/sharps. To find a location convenient to you, visit: www.thepointny.org

#  #  #

For More Information:

Erie County Department of Health-Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP) locations

Drug Enforcement Administration