Drug Deactivation and Destruction Pouch Press Release

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Date of Release: Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The Town of New Paltz Office for Community Wellness and NP SAFE in partnership with New Paltz Police
Department, New Paltz Rescue Squad and SUNY New Paltz Police Department would like to announce the
availability of free drug deactivation and disposal pouches for home destruction of unused and unwanted pills,
liquids and patches.

Since 2013, the community has been able to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired medications by dropping
them off in Med Return™ Drug Collection Units (Drop Boxes) located at the New Paltz and SUNY New Paltz
police departments. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 these boxes have been inaccessible for many in the
community. Working with multiple community and regional partners, NP SAFE and the Office for Community
Wellness were able to obtain these pouches from NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS
OASAS) to help bridge a gap created by the pandemic. This is part of an ongoing, extensive community opioid
prevention effort that includes partners in law enforcement and EMS. These efforts place an emphasis on
outreach, prevention, education and helping people connect with available services.

Community members can pick-up a deactivation and disposal pouch at any of the following locations; the New
Paltz Police Department, SUNY New Paltz Police Department, New Paltz Rescue Squad or Family of New
Paltz. For those who need to take extra precautions and are unable to leave their home, arrangements for drop
off can be made. More information, including how to obtain a pouch can be found at the website;

https://www.opioidpreventionnp.org/.

The community is still able to discard prescription medications using the Med Return™ Drug Collection Units
at the New Paltz and SUNY New Paltz police departments.