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Cleaning house

Posted 2/7/23

Do you often pay attention when you throw something in the trash? As a society, we could definitely be more proactive with recycling or advocating for better packaging, which has contributed to the …

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Cleaning house

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Do you often pay attention when you throw something in the trash? As a society, we could definitely be more proactive with recycling or advocating for better packaging, which has contributed to the garbage crisis on the horizon.

While throwing out a piece of plastic, in all likelihood is such a micro percentage towards the problem, the improper disposal of old medications has far more dire consequences. 

As reported on Friday’s front page, improper disposal causes various forms of pollution, risk of disease and injury to sanitation workers and the public’s health, as well as the endangerment of local wildlife and their habitats.

There is also a great danger to children.

According to a 2022 article in Healthing.com titled, “Are your kids using the drugs in your medicine cabinet?,” it was reported that medication is the leading cause of poisoning in children. It further states that  poisoning is the third leading cause of unintentional hospitalization of children aged 14 and under.

So if you have children in your house, it is imperative that you keep medications in a place they cannot get to. It’s also important to clean out that medicine cabinet to ensure old and unused medications are no longer in your home.

This April, the Sullivan County Division of Health and Human Services will hold another county-wide Drug Drop Off Day, in which numerous locations will be open and available to people looking to cautiously dispose of their unwanted medications. 

While an amazing resource to our residents, April is still a little ways away. 

You can dispose of old and unused medications safely at year-round drop-off locations including the Fallsburg Police Department, Liberty Police Department, Monticello Police Department, and the Department of Social Services (Robert Travis Building), located at 16 Community Lane, Liberty.

Several local pharmacies will also take them.

In addition to the drop off boxes, the County also has Deterra Bags to dispose of their medications. 

These items are medical disposal systems that assist in discarding medications at home via absorption technology. It does this by deactivating the medication using activated carbon.

For info of drop off locations, Deterra Bags, and Drug Take Back Day, please visit sullivanny.us/Departments/Publichealth, or contact the Division of Health and Human Services at (845) 292-5910.

We commend the County, the Drug Task Force, as well as the police agencies and pharmacies that are assisting in getting rid of these old and unused medications safely. You are all truly helping to save lives!

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