Are you unintentionally contributing to opioid misuse in Schuyler County? Recent 2017 youth survey data for Schuyler County shows that almost 40% of youth who misuse prescription drugs get them from a parent or relative’s home, and keeping prescription medications around the house after you have stopped taking them can provide an opportunity for misuse. To combat this growing problem, the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) is collaborating with county agencies and local businesses to distribute DisposeRx drug deactivation pouches so that medications can be deactivated and safely disposed of at home.
DisposeRx is a small packet that can have a big impact on the disposal of prescription medications. When added to prescription drug vials with a small amount of water, these pouches deactivate the active ingredients of opioids and other prescription medications so that they can safely be disposed of in the trash. With support from the Amerisource Bergen Foundation, SCCUDD’s Opioid Task Force is planning to distribute 500 pouches to community members. The group has already distributed over 175 DisposeRx pouches in partnership with the Office for the Aging’s congregate meal sites and home delivered meal program. “It is our hope that this collaborative partnership between the Office for the Aging and SCCUDD helps prevent opioid overdoses within our community by providing a new resource for disposing of unused prescription medications,” says Schuyler County Public Health Director Deborah Minor.
Community members can dispose of unused prescription drugs year-round at the prescription drug drop boxes located in the Sherriff’s Office in Watkins Glen and the Human Services Complex in Montour Falls or by attending the two drug take-back events in April and October. Some community members, however, may not be able to access these resources due to distance or mobility issues. Dispose Rx offers an alternative way for community members to safely dispose of their medications in their homes so that they cannot be misused. DisposeRx is currently available through Schuyler County Public Health, Office for the Aging, Quinlan’s Pharmacy, and Schuyler County Probation. If your agency is interested in participating in this initiative, or you would like to get DisposeRx for yourself or a family member, contact Schuyler County Public Health at (607) 535-8140.