The Oneida County Opioid Task Force is partnering with Kinney Drugs to give away drug disposal bags at four in-store locations across the county beginning today.

“Oneida County is strategically tackling the drug crisis from all sides by doing crucial work in overdose prevention, treatment enhancement and recovery support targeted at people with addictions,” County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said. “We are pleased to partner with Kinney Drugs on this important initiative, and I commend them for supporting our efforts to address this public health crisis by distributing at-home drug disposal bags at their local stores and installing medication drop-off kiosks in stores statewide.”

He said, “The distribution of these medication disposal bags supports the work of addiction prevention by removing the risk from homes since many people who misused prescription medicine for the first time got it from a friend or relative.”

The public can pick up free medication disposal bags at the select times and locations at the following Kinney Drugs stores in Oneida County while supplies last:

Dec. 14: 1:30-4:30 p.m., 12 Franklin Ave. in Clinton

Jan. 11: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 Preston St. in Camden

Feb. 8: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 261 Utica Blvd., Boonville

“In the U.S., approximately 40% of all poisonings involve prescription or over-the-counter medications,” said Pharmacist John M. Marraffa Jr. president, Kinney Drugs. “In addition, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death, and nearly 75% of those cases involve opioids. About half of those who misuse opioids obtain them from friends and family members, often without their knowledge.”

The Deterra Drug Deactivation bags help residents safely and conveniently remove unused or expired prescription medications from their homes and reduces the chance of accidental or intentional misuse.

They can be used for pills, patches, liquids, creams and films, using a simple and environmentally-safe active-carbon technology that deactivates the medication by simply adding warm water. The entire pouch can then be safely disposed of in the trash.

Marraffa continued, “Kinney Drugs is committed to being part of the solution, and is very pleased to partner with Oneida County to offer free Deterra medication disposal bags in our stores. It’s important to do everything we can to prevent these accidental poisonings and overdoses through education, and by providing safe, effective and convenient disposal methods for the community.”

The Opioid Task Force reminds the public that any medication can be harmful if misused or accidentally taken by a child or pet. Moreover, sharing or holding on to unused medications can be dangerous and create opportunities for misuse. Check your home for unused medicines that have been prescribed over the years and remove the risk from your home with Deterra Drug Deactivation Bags.

In addition to the upcoming Kinney Drugs events, safe medication disposal is offered through local law enforcement agencies and community drug take back events. Oneida County will also mail two free drug disposal bags directly to residents.

For more information, visit:  https://www.ocopioidtaskforce.org/medication-disposal/