The Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition gathers around the new MedReturn kiosk where Grant County residents can now safely dispose of unused medications at 1106 N. Pope St. Pictured (from right to left) Back row: Kendra Milligan (Media Contractor, YSAPC), Tom Bate (Fraternal Order, Faith Community), Paul Slatery (Community Member), Christina L. Gutierrez (PIRE Evaluator) and Dianna Perea (First Born Program); Middle Row: Aimee Jaurequi (Silver Schools), Bianca Padilla (JPO), Cindy McClean (Grant County DWI Program), Michael McGee, LADAC, MSW (YSAPC), Mary Alice Murphy (Grant County Beat), Christine Starr (SCPD), Sonya Dixon (Bayard Public Library), Luz Carbajal (SASS), Front kneeling: Cronn Chavez (YSAPC)Silver City, New Mexico, June 20, 2016: Grant County residents can now safely dispose of unused prescription and over the counter drugs at the Silver City Office of Sustainability, 1106 N. Pope St. The new big green MedReturn Prescription Drug Disposal Kiosk is conveniently located for drive up access at the center island of the facility.
The prescription drug disposal kiosk was made possible by a community effort led by Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (YSAPC), the Town of Silver City and the Silver City Police Department. The kiosk is monitored by security cameras and emptied regularly by the Silver City Police Department.
Town of Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner said, "It's a good thing to have available in the community since there are examples of prescription drugs being misused."
Town of Silver City Assistant Manager, James Marshall was instrumental in finding a location for the MedReturn kiosk. "The Town is pleased to offer this additional service at a centrally located area, and available for residents at any time."
The newly installed MedReturn Kiosk allows residents to quickly and safely dispose of unused drugs at any time. Left in homes, unused medications contribute to an epidemic of substance abuse and accidental poisonings. When flushed down toilets or thrown into landfills, unused medicines become hazardous waste that pollutes the environment and water supply.
The new disposal kiosk removes any chance of future misuse or pollution since the medications are destroyed using U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) protocols.
Grant County Undersheriff Kevin Flamm says, "When disposing of the medication remove all personal information form the bottle by either peeling off the label or blacking out information with a pen, especially the prescription number and refill information, to protect your identity." Flamm is also a founding member of the YSAPC.
Residents can dispose of the following items at the kiosk: prescription drugs, prescription patches, prescription medications, prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples, and medications for pets, https://nygoodhealth.com.
The Kiosk doesn't accept needles/sharps, inhalers, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans or medical waste. Sharps and needles can be disposed of at the Grant County Public Health office, 2610 N. Silver St.
Mike McGee, the coordinator for YSAPC said, "In the near future we are looking to install one somewhere in the Mining District, more than likely at a secure location in Bayard. We have begun checking on locations."
The YSAPC is composed of 25 service providers and invested community members dedicated to creating an environment that cultivates healthy productive lifestyles through policy and advocacy change that promotes resilient and empowered youth.
The Coalition is a program of the Town of Silver City, funded by a grant from the New Mexico Office of Substance Abuse Prevention.
For more information on the YSAPC call (575) 597-7118 or email: ysapccoordinator@silvercitymail.com.