Pictured: Cars line-up for free shredding of confidential documents at the Madison County Landfill Oct. 26.
(Town of Lincoln, NY – Nov. 7, 2013) Madison County held its semi-annual Safe Pill Collection last Saturday in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and other law enforcement agencies across the Country. The event collected 226.4 pounds of drugs from 130 households.
Madison County got the first taste of winter for the 2013 season on Oct. 26 with temperatures in the mid-30’s and a blustery wind.
“This year we especially want to thank our volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty to help out on such a cold and windy day,” said James Zecca, Director of the Department of Solid Waste. “We appreciate the dedication of these folks who help out year after year no matter the weather, to help keep drugs out of the environment and out of the hands of drug abusers.”
The Madison County Department of Solid Waste and Sanitation has partnered with
BRiDGES, Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department to host the Safe Pill Drop Off collection event semi-annually since 2009. To date the program has collected 4,285 lbs. of pills including 51 lbs. of narcotics. These totals also include the 700 lbs. Madison County residents have placed in the Drug Collection Kiosk, which has been operational at the County office building since 2012.
“There really is no reason anyone cannot dispose of their expired and waste medication properly,” said Mr. Zecca.
The free shredding event was held in conjunction with the Safe Pill Collection and was also a great success collecting 4,700 pounds of paper. Special thanks to the ARC Staff who helped with the shredding and setting up for the collection event. See you in the spring for the next Safe Pill Collection and Free Shredding.