DUNKIRK, NY (WNY News Now) – On Saturday, law enforcement agencies across our region are taking part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, including City of Dunkirk Police.
The Dunkirk Police Department and WCA ALSTAR Ambulance, in cooperation with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, are coordinated a north county prescription drug drop off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Located behind School #3 at Rt. 60 and Orchard Street in the City of Dunkirk, prescriptions can be dropped off with no questions asked.
“This is a very important program because any unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issues leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse,” said Chief David Ortolano. “In many States deaths from Prescription drugs now exceeds those from motor vehicles accidents with opiate painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycontin leading abuse.”
Recent reports show that the number of people seeking treatment for painkiller addiction had increased 400 percent within the last 10 years. Reports show that one in 10, 12th grade students used pharmaceutical narcotic pain killers for non-medical use.
The reports also show that the majority of the teenagers (62 percent) using prescription drugs got them from family and friends including from medicine cabinets in their own homes.
Unintentional overdose deaths from prescription opioids increased 175 percent over a five-year period.
“Please take the time to empty your shelves and cabinets from unused and expired prescription drugs,” said Chief Ortolano. “Also we ask that if you have parents or grandparents that you check with them as well to make sure they sort through any prescriptions they may have that are not needed or have expired.”
No liquids or sharps/needles will be accepted at the drop off location.
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