Drug Take Back Press Release
New Paltz Police Department
For Immediate Release
Date of Release: Tuesday, October 27, 2015
In 2013, the Greater New Paltz Community Partnership (Community Partnership) purchased and installed three Med Return™ Drug Collection Units (Drop Boxes) to benefit communities located within the New Paltz School District. The units are located within the front foyers of the New Paltz Police Station, the SUNY New Paltz Campus Police Station, and the Town of Rosendale Police Station. The Med Returns™ were purchased by the Community Partnership with funds provided through its Drug Free Communities grant (DFC) award in order to provide the community with the opportunity to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired medications.
The service is available free of charge and 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both New Paltz locations. Please contact the Rosendale Police Department to inquire about their hours of operation.
The medications collected are turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for destruction. The New Paltz Police recently turned in approximately 550 pounds of prescription medication collected within the last 10 months from the Med Return™ Drug Collection Unit at the police department.
Chief Joseph Snyder said “I am so pleased with the success of this program and being able to assist our community with the disposal of unused medication. I urge community members to continue to come and use our drop box, it is easy and anonymous”.
Community Partnership Director Phoenix Kawamoto said, “I am very excited to hear how successful this Med Return™ unit has been and to know that community members are taking advantage of this service. One important way to help prevent the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications is to reduce access and availability of them. Disposing of unwanted, unused medications safely and securing others with the potential for abuse that remain in the home is extremely important.”
Community members may bring in all prescription medications and samples, all over-the-counter medications, vitamins, pet medications, medicated ointments, and liquid medication in leak-proof containers.
Please note that the following items cannot be discarded at the drop box: thermometers, syringes, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, and aerosol cans or inhalers.