(BINGHAMTON, NY) The Broome Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC) announced today that they have over 2,000 Drug Deactivation pouches that will be available to community members.
The Deterra Drug Deactivation System is a safe medication disposal pouch that allows people to easily and effectively dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, including opioid painkillers, right at-home. These pouches will be available starting in February at various municipalities, home care agencies, community agencies and county departments.
“This is another great step in fighting the opioid epidemic in our community,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Thank you to BOAC for all their hard work and taking this next step to fight addiction in Broome County.”
Research has shown that 3 of 4 persons who use heroin reported they first used a prescription opioid and 70% of prescribed opioids for surgical use remain unused and available in someone’s home for abuse. BOAC has worked with local partners and community members on education and hosting 2 RX take back days a year and there are currently 13 medication drop boxes located across Broome County, however those sites aren’t always accessible or convenient for all community members.
Anyone can use a Deterra pouch to dispose of drugs including pills, patches, liquids, creams and films. Simply add the recommended amount of unused medicines into the pouch, fill the pouch half-way with warm water, wait 30 seconds, seal the pouch and gently shake. You can then dispose of them in normal household trash. Each Deterra pouch contains activated carbon, which firmly bonds to pharmaceuticals rendering them inert and non-retrievable for all practical purposes. The Deterra pouch is the only environmentally sound, in-home drug disposal system that permanently deactivates drugs. For more information about the pouches visit https://deterrasystem.com/.
“Fighting this complex public health epidemic takes a multi-faceted approach, and we are pleased to offer our community members another way to properly dispose of prescription opioids, ultimately saving lives and helping those with substance use disorders,” stated Marissa Knapp, Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator for Broome County.
The Drug Deactivation pouches will be available to the community in a few weeks. For more information contact Marissa Knapp at 607-778-2812 or visit broomecountyny.gov/boac and check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BroomeOpioidAwarenessCouncil/.
