Safe Medication Collection Event 4/27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Safe Medication Collection Event This Saturday, April 27 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

The Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal will again host a collection event for unwanted
medications this Saturday, April 27th. The collection event will take place, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at
multiple locations:

• The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, 779 Warren Road, Ithaca;
• The Slaterville Fire Station, 2681 Slaterville Road, Slaterville Springs;
• Kinney Drugs, Triphammer Marketplace, N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca.

Law enforcement officers will be on-site to take custody of outdated or otherwise unwanted
pharmaceuticals for safe destruction. This event is being done in conjunction with the Drug
Enforcement Agency’s Take-Back Initiative.

“Using this take-back event—or one of our year-round drop boxes—is the best way to safely dispose
of unwanted and outdated medications in your home. Doing so helps prevent illegal diversion,
accidental poisoning, and environmental contamination.” says Ed Gottlieb, pre-treatment coordinator
at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, and chair of the Coalition, which has sponsored drugtake-back events since 2010.

Beth Harrington, Assistant Director & EMS Coordinator for Tompkins County Emergency Response,
is coordinating the Slaterville collection. “If you can’t make it to one of the April 27th collection sites,
please use one of the many permanent drop boxes for unwanted medications located across the
County.”

“Over-the-counter, prescription, and pet medications are all accepted.” explained Susan Dunlop,
Community Health Nurse, at the Tompkins County Health Department and member of the coalition.
“Even liquid medications, in tightly capped bottles, are accepted at events and drop boxes.” Needles
and other “sharps” are not accepted.

Drop box locations and hours, along with disposal guidelines, are posted at the Coalition’s web page at
www.healthyyouth.org/medication-disposal.php, and also are available by calling 2-1-1. What can and
cannot be placed in the box is also posted at each drop box location.
Contact: Ed Gottlieb, 607-273-8381.
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