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These community-based drug “take-back” programs offer the best option for disposing certain types of medications, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
The Putnam Communities That Care Coalition and Patterson Rotary enabled Patterson to purchase a MedBox."That is a great accomplishment and will not only insure that unused drugs do not fall into the wrong hands but also protects the environment and our waterways” said Joseph DeMarzo, the coalition's co-chair and deputy commissioner of Putnam County’s Mental Health, Social Services & Youth Bureau.
Because many residents may not be aware of the disposal boxes, a print campaign to inform the public is underway, said Kristin McConnell, coalition co-chair and executive director of Putnam NCADD, which is dedicated to the public health issues of alcoholism and other drug addictions.
"We will be blanketing the County with informational palm cards providing residents with the locations and what can and cannot be disposed of in those boxes” McConnell said.
Bruce Kelly, coalition coordinator for Putnam CTC thanked the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for partnering with this venture.
"Not only must they travel all over the county on a weekly basis to empty the boxes, they must also properly dispose of them” Kelly said. "It is these joint collaborations that demonstrate how effective a community coalition can be”.
The following are MedBox locations in Putnam County:
- Carmel Police Department (24/7)
- Kent Police Department (24/7)
- Kern Building, Brewster, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Patterson Town Hall, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Philipstown Town Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (24/7)
- Putnam Valley Town Hall, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
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