Bolivar and Cuba, NY – October 24, was the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Like so many communities across the country, Allegany County had two locations at the Bolivar and Cuba Fire Departments where community members could drop off unwanted or expired medications.
The pill drop events have been taking place in Allegany County since 2008. This has been a partnership between the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Inc. (ACASA), and Partners for Prevention in Allegany County (PPAC). “These events are an outlet for community members to get rid of old or unused medications in a safe manner,” said Coalition Coordinator Jon Chaffee. “The pill drops are important to make sure that medications do not end up in our waterways or on our streets” said Chaffee.
This year, 41 cars participated, for a total of over 179 pounds of medications brought in by community members. These medications will end up being incinerated to make them inert. “Utilizing the DEA’s Take Back Day allows us to reach out to offer a needed resource to our communities and help educate about proper disposal of medications,” said Undersheriff Kevin Monroe.
Allegany County has ten Take It To The Box locations throughout the county at:
- Alfred Pharmacy
- Alfred State University Police
- Allegany County Sheriff’s Office in Belmont
- Cuba Police Department
- Fillmore Pharmacy
- Friendship Pharmacy
- Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville
- Jones Memorial Medical Practice in Bolivar
- Nicholson Pharmacy
- Wellsville Police Department.
“Pill drop boxes throughout the county are an asset and are being used quite often,” said Monroe. Community members were also educated about the opportunity to dispose to sharps at all Allegany County transfer stations free of charge.
The coalition would like to also thank Chief McPherson of the Bolivar Police Department and Chief Burch and Officer Tyler Phillippi of the Cuba Police Department for partnering with them on making the Take Back Day a successful one. For more information on Take Back Day, Take It To The Box locations, or sharps disposal, please visit www.ppaccentral.org and look under “Community” for more information.
