East End Medication Disposal Program Nets More Than 1,850 Lbs.

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The war against opioid addiction rages on as residents fight back against the insidious epidemic. And on the East End, steps were taken toward victory as a local drug take-back program netted more than 1,872 lbs. in 2017.

As a result of a partnership with Group for the East End and seven local police departments, the East End Medication Disposal Program has netted not only the 1,872 lbs. in 2017, but nearly 6,000 lbs. altogether since the program’s inception in Oct., 2013, a release said.

With support from Suffolk County’s Drinking Water Protection Program, the program encourages residents to dispose of unused medications safely and anonymously in Medication Drop Boxes permanently located at participating police stations — with an eye toward keeping potential pollutants out of drinking water, bays, and harbors.

Other pluses that result from proper disposal of medications include helping to prevent drug misuse, abuse, and harm to children, pets, and others, the release said.

And, organizers of the effort said, by anonymously disposing of medications at local police stations, individuals can ensure that they do not end up in the wrong hands o harming the environment.

“Water quality and pollution are a growing concern across the East End, and we must take every step necessary to help protect our bays, harbors, and other waterways,” said Group for the East End President Bob DeLuca. “This pharmaceutical take-back program continues to be successful, and is just one of many innovative local efforts that is breaking new ground in the protection and restoration of our fragile drinking water and surface water resources.”

Reported totals from participating police stations in 2017 include 120 lbs. from Sag Harbor, 160 lbs. from Shelter Island, 700 lbs. from Southold, 300 lbs. from East Hampton Town, 220 lbs. from East Hampton Village, 172 lbs. from Westhampton Beach, and 200 lbs. from one collection in Southampton, which has another collection from the end of 2017 waiting to be incinerated. Those remaining numbers are not yet available.

After substances are discarded in the drop box, they are secured by the police department until an officer transports them to the Covanta Incinerator in East Northport, a release said.

Covanta provides the service free of charge, as do the police departments.

Article image via Shutterstock.