Sheriff’s Dept., School & Parish Team Up for Drug Take Back Day

Do you need to get rid of old medications? The Parish Health Ministry of Immaculate Conception Church will partner with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department to provide an opportunity for discarding outdated medications in a safe and responsible way. The drop off is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 am to 12 Noon at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 732 U.S. Route 20 in New Lebanon. To help with advertising the program, students at New Lebanon High School are preparing fliers that will be displayed in places of businesses throughout New Lebanon and Stephentown. For more information, please call Mary Linton, RN, 518-733-0469.

At the collection site, anyone, regardless of his or her place of residence, may deposit prescription and over-the-counter medications. However, needles cannot be accepted.  Persons may also bring drugs that are no longer being used, even if they are not yet expired.

Outdated meds can be dangerous for several reasons including: as they age, some drugs will deteriorate and may cause organ damage; because some drugs can become unable to provide the treatment for which they were prescribed; and because medicines can contaminate the ground water when thrown away in landfills or down the drain/toilet.