Press release from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:
On Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Genesee County law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
This service is free and anonymous; no questions asked.
Collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, which includes masks for citizens dropping off medication.
Bring your medications for disposal to:
- Pembroke Town Hall, Route 5 at Route 77, Pembroke, to be received by GC Sheriff's deputies;
- Alva Place parking lot, Batavia (across the street from Batavia Showtime movie theater located in the Genesee Country Mall). Sharps will also be accepted at this location only. Batavia police officers will collect the items;
- Le Roy Police Department Headquarters, 3 W. Main St., Le Roy, to be received by Le Roy police officers.
Only pills, tablets, capsules, patches and other solids will be accepted at the collection sites—liquids and needles or other sharps will not be unless noted. Vaping devices and cartridges will be accepted provided lithium batteries are removed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period.
The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
