SEN. LANZA & ASSEMBLYMAN CUSICK ANNOUNCE DONATION FROM MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS OF 10,000 DRUG DEACTIVATION POUCHES TO PROMOTE SAFE DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Residents of Staten Island will benefit from a donation by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals of 10,000 drug deactivation pouches that will be distributed free through Delco Drugs & Specialty Pharmacy and Staten Island South Shore YMCA. The announcement to provide a safe and responsible drug disposal method to prevent abuse and misuse of leftover prescription medication comes just days before National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The drug deactivation pouches were purchased and donated by Mallinckrodt, a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company. The user-friendly, pouch-based systems deactivate prescription drugs and render chemical compounds safe for landfills. After placing pills in the specially formulated pouch and adding regular tap water, it can be sealed and thrown away with the household trash. Along with the announcement, community leaders underscored the urgent need to find ways to prevent prescription drug abuse before it begins. They included New York State Sen. Andrew J. Lanza, New York Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D Mid-Island), Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon and representatives of the Staten Island South Shore YMCA and area law enforcement.

Senator Lanza said: “In response to the opioid crisis we have looked to any and all potential solutions. One way to combat this national crisis is by allowing people to dispose of unused or unwanted medications at no cost and with no questions asked. I am proud to partner with Assemblyman Cusick, Delco Drugs and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals to promote safe drug disposal and prevent the misuse of leftover prescription medications.”

“As the opioid and heroin epidemic continues to rage, we must remain aware that for many addicts, their experience with opioids began with prescription pills found in their medicine cabinet,” said Assemblyman Cusick. “The distribution of 10,000 drug deactivation pouches throughout our borough will lead to the safe destruction of these addictive drugs, eliminating the possibility that they are abused. I would like to remind all Staten Islanders that drug drop off boxes exist across our city, and that these boxes, along with the pouches being distributed today, are the safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of unused medicine. Thank you to our partners in this effort: Delco Drugs, the South Shore YMCA, and Senator Lanza for bringing this to our community.”

The Staten Island donation is part of Mallinckrodt’s nationwide one-million pouch donation initiative to help combat the abuse of prescription pain medications, which is one of the top public health threats in the U.S. today.

“As a company focused on the health and well-being of our patients and communities, Mallinckrodt has long been a strong advocate of addressing the complex issues of opioid misuse and abuse that cause so much harm to families,“ said Mark Trudeau, Mallinckrodt President and Chief Executive Officer. “We share the concerns of people across the nation, and believe that providing patients with a safe and responsible way to dispose of unused medications is critical in this fight against prescription drug abuse. Mallinckrodt is committed to working with policy makers, community leaders, law enforcement and industry partners to ensure the responsible use of pain medication and prevent unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands.”
Staten Island residents can access the pouches at the Delco Drugs & Specialty Pharmacy location, 3833 Richmond Ave. in Eltingville, as well as consult with pharmacists about the pouches and prescription drug safety.

“Delco Drugs & Specialty Pharmacy is providing a solution, a way for everyone in our community to help reduce the frequency of drug abuse,” said Robert Annicharico, pharmacist and owner. “It’s easy! Come to the Delco Drugs & Specialty Pharmacy, ask for a free drug disposal pouch, go home and get those pills out of your house. This is a simple action that any of us can take to make our community safer. As the hometown pharmacy, we are proud to be a part of the solution.” A national survey of U.S. adults who used opioids showed that nearly 6 out of 10 had or expect to have leftover opioids, according to findings published online June 13, 2016, in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal. Nearly 68 percent of those who used prescription pain relievers non-medically in 2012-2013 got them from friends or relatives, according to the 2013 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

“Many Staten Islanders suffering from addiction often times resort to rummaging through a relative’s medicine cabinet in order to find their next fix. While law enforcement has taken steps to combat this problem – including launching a program to add secure drop-off boxes for unused prescription pills to each of the borough’s police precincts as well as the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day scheduled for this Saturday – we can always do more to ensure that these highly addictive medications do not fall into the wrong hands,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “I commend our local businesses and community organizations for recognizing the need to offer new ways to safely and effectively dispose of unwanted medications and also greatly appreciate Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals for their generous donation. The availability of these drug deactivation pouches is another positive step in our fight to combat the opioid epidemic that continues to destroy lives each and every day.”

The drug deactivation pouches are manufactured by Minneapolis-based Verde Technologies. Find more information at www.mallinckrodt.com/disposal.