Local partners will promote responsible drug disposal to help reduce drug misuse, deaths

In an effort to reduce prescription drug misuse and related overdose deaths, community partners will team up to host National Take-Back Day events from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Oct. 27 at two local sites. The two sites are Caledonia County Sheriff Department (970 Memorial Dr., St. Johnsbury) and Kinney Drugs (957 Memorial Dr., St. Johnsbury) with Sgt. Lester Cleary representing the St. Johnsbury Police Department.

National Take-Back Day – hosted biannually by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – provides a free, safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. Individuals may anonymously and safely drop off any unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medication, as well as pet medication, at the locations.

"Prescription drug abuse has become a significant public health issue – one that directly impacts our own community," Cheryl Chandler, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) regional partnership prevention coordinator, said. "This day gives people a way to responsibly throw away old and unused medications and raises awareness about responsible drug disposal." In addition to the coordinated event locations (from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday,) there are permanent drug take-back boxes available year-round for people to dispose of unused prescription drugs. The locations and drop-off availability are as follows:
Caledonia County Sheriff's Department – Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Essex County Sheriff's Department – Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gauthier's Pharmacy – Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lyndonville Police Department – Tuesday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
NVRH Emergency Room – 24/7
St. Johnsbury Police Department – 24/7

Individuals may also use drug mail-back envelopes, available through the Vermont Department of Health, to responsibly dispose of medications.

Illegal drugs, cosmetics, vitamins/supplements, thermometers, aerosol cans, inhalers, needles and lotions/liquids are not accepted at the prescription take-back box locations.

Since beginning the nationwide effort in late 2010, the DEA has collected more than 9,964,714 pounds, or 4,982 tons, of prescription drugs.

Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital is located in St. Johnsbury in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. We are a community, not-for-profit, acute care, critical access hospital. We are one of two Vermont hospitals designated as a Baby FriendlyTM hospital by the United Nations. We provide primary and preventive care, surgical and specialty services, inpatient and outpatient care and 24-hour, physician-staffed emergency services. We serve just over 30,000 people in the Caledonia and Southern Essex Counties in Vermont and employee 600.