Nearly 60 Pounds of Pills Disposed of at Ritchie “Shed the Meds” Event in Gouverneur

Initiative Helps North Country Residents Get Rid of 350 Pounds of Medications

North Country residents have disposed of 350 pounds of pills through Senator Ritchie’s “Shed the Meds” program, an initiative aimed at helping people get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medications, including painkillers, opioids and narcotics—substances which are often times gateway drugs for addiction to illegal substances such as heroin.

The program featured four events throughout Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, with the most recent taking place Tuesday evening at Gouverneur Hospital.  At the Gouverneur event, nearly 60 pounds of prescription medications were disposed of. 

“The response to my “Shed the Meds” events is a testament to the need people have to get rid of pills that sit unused or expired in their medicine cabinets, which can potentially end up in the wrong hands or pollute our water if disposed of improperly,” said Senator Ritchie.

“I would like to thank the law enforcement officials and hospitals that partnered with me to make these events such a success, especially the staff at Gouverneur Hospital and the members of the Gouverneur Police Department, including Chief Laurina Greenhill.”

Last year, Americans filled a record four billion prescriptions.  It’s estimated that millions of pills sit unused in consumers’ medicine cabinets.  Residents can find more information about where to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs here. 

(Pictured in the above photo from left to right are Gouverneur Police Officer Darren Fairbanks, Gouverneur Hospital Pharmacist Susan Kane, Senator Patty Ritchie and Bonnie Porter of Gouverneur Hospital)