The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal will again host a collection event for unwanted medications this Saturday, April 27th. The collection event will take place, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at multiple locations:
- The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, 779 Warren Road, Ithaca;
- The Slaterville Fire Station, 2681 Slaterville Road, Slaterville Springs;
- Kinney Drugs, Triphammer Marketplace, N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca.
Law enforcement officers will be on-site to take custody of outdated or otherwise unwanted pharmaceuticals for safe destruction. This event is being done in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency's Take-Back Initiative.
“Using this take-back event—or one of our year-round drop boxes—is the best way to safely dispose of unwanted and outdated medications in your home. Doing so helps prevent illegal diversion, accidental poisoning, and environmental contamination.” says Ed Gottlieb, pre-treatment coordinator at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, and chair of the Coalition, which has sponsored drug take-back events since 2010.
Beth Harrington, Assistant Director & EMS Coordinator for Tompkins County Emergency Response, is coordinating the Slaterville collection. “If you can’t make it to one of the April 27th collection sites, please use one of the many permanent drop boxes for unwanted medications located across the County.”
“Over-the-counter, prescription, and pet medications are all accepted.” explained Susan Dunlop, Community Health Nurse, at the Tompkins County Health Department and member of the coalition. “Even liquid medications, in tightly capped bottles, are accepted at events and drop boxes.” Needles and other "sharps" are not accepted.
Drop box locations and hours, along with disposal guidelines, are posted at the Coalition’s web page at www.healthyyouth.org/medication-disposal.php and also are available by calling 2-1-1. What can and cannot be placed in the box is also posted at each drop box location.