(Liberty, NY 4:55pm) - On Saturday, January 21, residents came from all over the northwestern end of Sullivan County and elsewhere to participate in a drug take back event sponsored in partnership with the Grover Hermann Division of Catskill Regional Medical Center/GHVHCS in Callicoon. Thanks goes to the hospital for providing their security guards and a location.
Over 221 pounds were disposed of at the Dutchess County Recycling Plant. We are grateful to Catholic Charities of Orange and Sullivan Counties and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department for their partnership in the paperwork, transportation and destruction of these potentially harmful medications, many of which were prescribed opioids that were no longer needed by area residents and their families. Sponsoring these events helps residents understand that they can play a role in getting unwanted medications out of their homes and medicine cabinets when they are no longer needed, and also prevent the possibility of youth or others from misusing them.
The next DEA Drug Take Back event will occur in April. If our residents need to dispose of old and/or unwanted medications please call Public Health Services for Drop Box locations that are available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week in Sullivan County. The Sullivan County Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, a subcommittee of the Rural Health Network, meets at Sullivan County Public Health Services to discuss ideas for prevention strategies and outreach events.
For more information please call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845 292-5910 x 2222.
