Drug drop-off a success

Related Photos

Students from UB school of Pharmacy sort the expired or unwanted drugs to disposed of by incineration. The DEA and Lockport Police Department collected the drugs from a drive-thru drop off point. Students Heather Dillenbeck, Alyssa Moure and Aleem Merani sort and log the drugs. Joe Eberle/US&J
Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker collects unwanted drugs from motorist Raeann Hollfelder. Joe Eberle/US&J
LPD's Brian Wentland collects unwanted drugs from motorist Lisa Welsh. Joe Eberle/US&J

October 30, 2011

People drop off old medicine, controlled substances at Lockport Plaza

By Bill Wolcott Lockport Union-Sun & Journal The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Sun Oct 30, 2011, 12:43 AM EDT

LOCKPORT — More than 350 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medicines were dropped off Saturday at the Lockport Police Command Center at Lockport Plaza.

It was part of the National Prescription Drop-Off campaign. Other sites in Niagara County included: Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston; DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda and the old South Junior High School in Niagara Falls.

Police officers, Drug Enforcement Administration officials, pharmacists, Independent Health workers and pharmacy students took part in Lockport.

There were no questions asked. Participants drove up, handed in bags and boxes of medicine and drove off. Boxes of expired medicines were included. Drugs were to be incinerated.

“We get quite a selection of stuff that everybody’s turning in,” said

Lockport police Capt. Brian Wentland. “It seems like everybody is cleaning out their medicine cabinets.”

The drop-off was on pace with last year when about 210 cars stopped by the lot of South Transit and Willow. “This is a great location, people can drop off and drive on . There’s good visibility for us.”

Students from University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and D’Youville College helped collect and sort out the drugs.

Prescription pill abuse is the No. 1 one drug problem in Western New York according to the Center for Disease Control.

“Most kids who get drugs and abuse drugs are getting them from their own grandparents or parents,” said Michelle Ansler, a second-year pharmacy student. “It’s important to get this stuff out of your house so it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.”

Drugs should not be flushed down the toilet because some components of these drugs end up in lakes, streams, and water supplies. When medicines are put in the garbage, they may be stolen or end up in the mouths of children or household pets.

Notice of the drop-off was published in newspapers and broadcast on radio and television. The police also posted notices in area pharmacies.

There were 32 drop-off locations in total across Western New York.

Text Only

City of Lockport

Show Time
The Kenan Arts Council’s familiar and cherished holiday gift show unfolds this weekend at the Kenan House and grounds.

November 13, 2011 6 Photos
A fighter vs. a doubter
The 2011 Lockport mayoral contest pits a proud incumbent against a doubter.
Two-term Mayor Michael W. Tucker says he’s running on a proven record of “doing the right thing” for the city.

November 6, 2011 1 Photo
Houses aplenty on the city’s auction block
A four-townhouse complex is among the properties going up for bid at the city’s annual tax foreclosure auction Nov. 10.

October 30, 2011 1 Photo
Clerks and balances
Like so many other races this year, a major issue in the contest between Wayne Jagow and Patrick Murphy for Niagara County Clerk can be summed up in one word.
Finances.

October 30, 2011 2 Photos
Drug drop-off a success
More than 350 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medicines were dropped off Saturday at the Lockport Police Command Center at Lockport Plaza.

October 30, 2011 3 Photos
Police reports published Sept. 22, 2011
September 22, 2011
Corra gets 10-year sentence
A Gasport man will spend the next decade in state prison, a sentence he received Wednesday in Niagara County Court.

September 22, 2011
Police blotter published 09/18/11
September 18, 2011
Police reports published 6/26/11
June 26, 2011
Crafts catch the eyes
It was breezy, cloudy and comfortable at the 36th annual Outdoor Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, where 150 vendors took over Main Street from Cottage to Washburn streets.
The Optimist Club of Lockport sponsors the event, which features artists, craftspeople, vendors and some entertainment. The juried show continues today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 26, 2011
More City of Lockport Headlines

City of Lockport

Search Results

Related Photos

Drug drop-off a success

People drop off old medicine, controlled substances at Lockport Plaza

Site Map

Contact Us