[Pharmwaste] Summary of drop-box data for 40 or so programs,
PSA scripts, & SOP
Ed Gottlieb
egottlieb at cityofithaca.org
Fri Dec 27 12:14:10 EST 2013
Hi All,
Thanks to everyone who provided data about their drop-box programs!
The compiled information and my analysis is below. The photos that are
in the report, did not transfer to this email.
Please let me know if I made an error regarding your program.
With my report due in a few days, it is too late to correct my failure
to request your cost of program information. My analysis would have
been more meaningful if it included that factor. Fixed costs would have
been amitorized over a standard expected life of program.
I'm tacking on the scripts to our radio PSA's and the SOP for our
program.
Happy New Year!
Ed
Ed Gottlieb
Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-8381
fax: (607) 273-8433
COMPARISON of the WEIGHT of PHARMACEUTICALS COLLECTED by a SAMPLE of
DIFFERENT DROP-BOX PROGRAMS
Note: Some programs listed more than once to capture most detailed data
available.
Compiled by Ed Gottlieb 12/13/2013
Program Name & Location
# drop-boxes
estimate served population
total days
items collected/not collected
total pounds collected
avg. pounds per box per day
avg. pounds per box per day per 1000 population
% of sample average
Group Health Cooperative (King, Kitsap, Pierce,
Snohomish, Spokane & Thurston Counties, WA)
25
4,188,500
Oct 2006 to Dec 2012
2282
OTC, including liquids
84349
1.4785
0.0004
5.7
Bartell Drugs (King, Pierce and
Snohomish Counties, WA)
24
3,461,750
Mar 2008 to Dec 2012
1765
OTC, including liquids
36823
0.8693
0.0003
4.0
Iowa TakeAway Program, Statewide, IA
2741
3,074,000
Nov 1, 2009 to Dec 8, 2013
1133
OTC, Rx (only non-controlled) / controlled
73563
0.0237
0.0000
0.1
Colorado Medication Take-Back Project
Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Summit, Douglas, and Boulder
Counties
10
2,818,000
12/01/09 - 09/08/10
282
Yes: Rx, OTC, medication samples, pet meds, vitamins, medicated
ointments & lotions, inhalers / No: Controlled Rx, medical waste,
personal care products, H2O2, sharps, business waste
4683
1.6606
0.0006
9.5
Colorado Medication Take-Back Project
Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Summit, Douglas, and Boulder
Counties
11
2,818,000
09/09/10 - 02/16/12
525
Yes: Rx, OTC, medication samples, pet meds, vitamins, medicated
ointments & lotions, inhalers / No: Controlled Rx, medical waste,
personal care products, H2O2, sharps, business waste
11893
2.0594
0.0007
11.8
Colorado Medication Take-Back Project
Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Summit, Douglas, and Boulder
Counties
12
2,818,000
02/17/12 - 11/06/12
263
Yes: Rx, OTC, medication samples, pet meds, vitamins, medicated
ointments & lotions, inhalers / No: Controlled Rx, medical waste,
personal care products, H2O2, sharps, business waste
7310
2.3162
0.0008
13.2
Colorado Medication Take-Back Project
Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Summit, Douglas, and Boulder
Counties
11
2,818,000
11/07/12 to 12/13/13
401
Yes: Rx, OTC, medication samples, pet meds, vitamins, medicated
ointments & lotions, inhalers / No: Controlled Rx, medical waste,
personal care products, H2O2, sharps, business waste
10400
2.3577
0.0008
13.5
Pharmaceutical Drop Off City of Chicago, IL
5
2,700,000
Sept 2008 to Sept 2013
1855
OTC & controlled / No needles or sharps
27935
3.0119
0.0011
18.0
King County, WA
33
1,969,722
Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011
365
OTC & controlled, including liquids
17431
1.4472
0.0007
11.8
King County, WA
11
1,942,600
Jan 2009 to Oct 2012
1398
OTC & controlled, including liquids
3083
0.2005
0.0001
1.7
Operation Medice Cabinet; Suffolk County, NY
7
1,499,000
Jan 1, 2013 to Dec 19, 2013
351
OTC & controlled, including liquids
4749
1.9328
0.0013
20.8
St. Louis, MO
7
1,000,000
Apr 30, 2013 to Aug 19, 2013
111
OTC & controlled, including liquids
3200
4.1184
0.0041
66.3
St. Louis, MO
4
1,000,000
Aug 20, 2013 to Oct 26, 2013
67
OTC & controlled, including liquids
1200
4.4776
0.0045
72.1
NYS University Police Univ @ Buffalo, Erie County, NY
1
919,000
Feb15, 2012 to Dec 13, 2013
667
OTC, Controlled, Pet Sharps/ Chemo
1309
1.9625
0.0021
34.4
Safe Medicine Disposal Pilot Program - San Francisco, CA
23
825,863
4/23/2012 to 2/28/2013
311
Prescription, OTC, Controlled, Non-Controlled, Nutritional Products,
Inhaler Cartridges, Pet, Pre-loaded sharps
14144
1.9774
0.0024
38.5
Safe Medicine Disposal Pilot Program - San Francisco, CA
24
825,863
3/1/2013 to 10/31/2013
244
Prescription, OTC, Controlled, Non-Controlled, Nutritional Products,
Inhaler Cartridges, Pet, Pre-loaded sharps
11671
1.9930
0.0024
38.8
Pierce County, WA
23
807,904
Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011
365
OTC & controlled, including liquids
5783
0.6889
0.0009
13.7
Snohomish County, WA
40
722,400
Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2012
365
OTC & controlled, including liquids
10365
0.7099
0.0010
15.8
Snohomish County Partnership for Secure Medicine Disposal, WA
27
717,000
Mar 2008 to Oct 2012
1704
OTC, including liquids
12989
0.2823
0.0004
6.3
Dane County, WI
12
503,523
12 months
365
OTC & controlled, including liquids
8800
2.0091
0.0040
64.2
“Operation Medicine Cabinet”, Santa Barbara, CA
9
400,000
July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
365
All prescription and over-the-counter medications
5200
1.5830
0.0040
63.7
Stark County, OH
10
374,000
May 1, 2013 to Sept 9, 2013
134
1055
0.7873
0.0021
33.9
Stop DWI, Dutchess County, NY
4
297,322
4/26/2013 to Nov 26, 2013
182
OTC & controlled, including liquids
380
0.5220
0.0018
28.3
State Police Troop C Sidney (population of Dutchess County used)
1
297,322
Sept 1, 2012 to Aug 31, 2013
365
OTC & controlled, including liquids
243
0.6658
0.0022
36.0
Thurston County, WA
7
256,591
Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2013
365
OTC & controlled, including liquids
5263
2.0599
0.0080
129.2
Thurston County, WA
6
256,591
Jan 2010 to Dec 2012
1094
OTC & controlled, including liquids
10659
1.6239
0.0063
101.9
Kitsap County, WA
4
253,900
Sep 2010 to Oct 2012
790
OTC & controlled, including liquids
381
0.1206
0.0005
7.6
Whatcom County, WA
7
202,100
Apr 2010 to Dec 2012
1004
OTC & controlled, including liquids
2697
0.3838
0.0019
30.6
Ada County, ID (Boise, Meridian, Garden
City)
4
200,000
Jan 2012 to June 2013
546
liquids, OTCs, & controlled / no chemo or sharps (including epi pens)
1458 (from busiest box)
2.6700
0.0134
214.9
Livingston County, MI
7
181,000
April 22, 2011 to Nov 30, 2013
921
Liquids, OTC, controlled / no sharps
1341
0.2079
0.0011
18.5
Skagit County, WA
6
117,400
May 2011 to Aug 2011
121
OTC & controlled, including liquids
170
0.2342
0.0020
32.1
State Police Troop E Canandaigua (population of Onterio County used)
1
109,000
Sept 1, 2012 to Dec 17, 2013
472
OTC & controlled, including liquids
505
1.0699
0.0098
158.0
CSMD Tompkins County, NY
1
103,000
Sept 17, 2012 to Dec 23, 2013
462
liquids, OTCs, & controlled, epi pens / no chemo or sharps
860
1.8615
0.0181
290.1
CSMD Tompkins County, NY
8
103,000
April 26, 2013 to Dec 23, 2013
241
liquids, OTCs, & controlled, epi pens / no chemo or sharps
603
0.3128
0.0030
48.7
Cowlitz County, WA
5
102700
Sep 2009 to Oct 2011
789
OTC & controlled, including liquids
609
0.1544
0.0015
24.2
Grant County, WA
2
90,100
Mar 2011 to Dec 2012
670
OTC & controlled, including liquids
400
0.2985
0.0033
53.3
Lewis County, WA
5
76,000
Nov 2010 to Jun 2011
241
OTC & controlled, including liquids
249
0.2066
0.0027
43.8
Clallam County, WA
3
71,600
Jul 2009 to Dec 2012
1278
OTC & controlled, including liquids
9280
2.4204
0.0338
544.2
Mason County, WA
2
61,100
Oct 2010 to Sep 2011
364
OTC & controlled, including liquids
560
0.7692
0.0126
202.7
State Police Troop C Sidney (population of Delaware County used)
1
47,276
Sept 2012 to Dec 17, 2013
472
OTC & controlled, including liquids
95
0.2021
0.0043
68.8
Whitman County, WA
1
44,800
Jun 2010 to Oct 2011
516
OTC & controlled, including liquids
102
0.1977
0.0044
71.0
Clark County, WA
22
42800
Nov 2003 to Dec 2012
3347
OTC & controlled, including liquids
27145
0.3686
0.0086
138.7
Jefferson County, Wa
2
30,175
Jan 2012 to Dec 2012
364
OTC & controlled, including liquids
479
0.6580
0.0218
351.0
Pacific County, WA
3
20,900
Apr 2011 to Nov 2011
182
OTC & controlled, including liquids
35
0.0641
0.0031
49.4
Ada County, ID (Eagle)
1
20,000
April 2013 to June 2013 (?)
61
liquids, OTCs, & controlled / no chemo or sharps (including epi pens)
70
1.1475
0.0574
923.6
San Juan County, WA
6
15,900
Feb 2011 to Oct 2011
271
OTC & controlled, including liquids
782
0.4809
0.0302
100.0
AVERAGE FOR SAMPLED PROGRAMS
69
895,733
n/a
661
n/a
9349
1.2297
0.0062
100.0
We know of no drop-box program that set a goal of collecting a certain
number of pounds. Not having a specific target to compare actual
results to, it is not possible to quantitatively measure a programs
success.
The primary method of evaluation we will use is a comparison of our
results to other programs. In order to make a somewhat meaningful
comparison, the collection data was converted into a common unit: the
average pounds per day, per box, per 10,000 people served. This number
was then compared to the average of all the U.S. programs we had data
for.
Please note that a comparison using this data will only be a subjective
means of evaluation. One significant confounding factor is that the
accessibility of boxes to the population is not equal. This is true not
only from one program to another; it applies to boxes within a program.
To illustrate this point, imagine a large city whose program includes
boxes in some, yet not nearly all, neighborhoods. The reported
“population served” is whole city while, realistically, it is only
serving the neighborhoods with boxes. That un-served, yet counted,
population will lower their performance result. Another complicating
factor is that programs do not all accept the same material. For
example, many programs accept liquids while some don’t. Liquids can add
significantly to the weight collected.
With these limitations in mind, please take a look at the data on the
spreadsheet below. Programs are listed by the population served, in
descending order. As anticipated, programs serving large populations
all have relatively low results
We feel proud that the first box we installed, at the Public Safety
Building, has been used about 2.9 times as much as the average box in
this sample. The rest of our boxes are being used at just below half
this average rate. We clearly need to do more to educate the public
about importance of safely disposing of unwanted medications and to make
them aware of the existence of the newer boxes.
The CSMD, and this program, exist to address the high rates of:
accidental poisonings, illegal diversion of controlled substances, and
environmental contamination all due to pharmaceuticals. The difficulty
is that there are many factors affecting these trends. Even if data
existed, it would not be possible to attribute any measured improvement
to our program.
Despite this, we feel there is another, non-scientific, way to evaluate
the program. If we assume that it has had a small, if unverifiable,
positive impact, could we declare it a success? We propose comparing
the cost of the program to the money theoretically saved by it.
Our program removed a large amount of pharmaceuticals from many homes.
Considering just one factor, the high rate of poisonings, we contend it
is reasonable to assume we prevented at least one overdose admission to
the hospital.
We attempted to find the average cost of an overdose admission in the
U.S. The data needed to determine this cost exists in hospital and
insurance company records, though such a study hasn’t been funded.[1] (
about:blank#_ftn1 ) Based on our inquiry to the Health Care Cost
Institute, they suggested this study idea to Center for Disease Control
(CDC) when they met with them to discuss research priorities. We
followed-up by submitting our own request for this information directly
to the CDC and to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Though we had no luck locating national cost per case data, Ohio
produced a detailed report[2] ( about:blank#_ftn2 ) on prescription drug
poisonings in their state.
Drugs/medications are involved with 95% of unintentional poisoning
deaths in Ohio.
Drugs/medications are involved with 92% of unintentional poisoning
hospitalizations.
Drug overdose death rates increased 319 percent in the past decade
[2000-2010] in Ohio.
Drug poisonings are now the leading cause of injury death in Ohio [as
it is nationwide].
Medical and Work Loss Costs for Drug Overdose in Ohio, 2010 [3] (
about:blank#_ftn3 )
Deaths (2011)
Hospitalizations (2010)
Total Costs
for Both
Category
Total Cost - Deaths
Average Cost per Death
Total Cost - Hospitalization
Average Cost per Hospitalization
Combined Total
Number
1,544
2,700
Medical Cost
$5,261,847
$2,981
$31,220,000
$11,563
$36,481,847
Work Loss Cost
$1,892,006,228
$1,071,958
$9,186,000
$3,402
$1,901,192,228
Combined Cost
$1,897,268,075
$1,074,939
$40,406,000
$14,965
$1,937,674,075
Ohio’s $1.9 billion annual medical and work loss cost due to drug
overdoses comes to $5.3 million per day!
Assuming we prevented just one non-fatal overdose and that the average
cost per hospitalization in New York State is similar to Ohio, our
program saved about $15,000 in costs. This amount is very close to our
programs total fixed start-up costs. Operational costs are likely
covered by further savings, which, along with avoided hospitalizations,
should also include avoided arrests.
2. Describe how information derived from participant feedback is
being used to improve your programs and services.
Soon after it was installed, we received feedback that the door of the
drop-box at the Sheriff’s could catch and hold material deposited
carelessly. A physical fix was immediately retrofitted and the
manufacturer was notified. In response, the manufacturer sent stickers,
that we supplemented, which were applied to the door to draw user’s
attention to the process to prevent hang-ups from improper use. A
similar, though less significant, issue exists with the new units. No
physical fix was necessary. Stickers were also applied to the doors of
these units.
Recently, we received the suggestion that the governing bodies of all
the County Villages and Towns should be approached to include
announcements about the drop-box program in their newsletters or other
mailings. We have begun to follow-up on this excellent suggestion.
3. If you worked closely with other organizations within this scope
of work, describe how you have collaborated to implement projects and
achieve shared goals.
Most of the members of the CSMD represent other organizations
including: TC Health Dept, TC Sheriff, TC Administration, the Community
Coalition for Health Youth, & Lifelong (TC Senior Citizens’ Council).
All of these groups are stakeholders in one or more of the goals of the
CSMD.
The Community Coalition for Health Youth not only provided a paid staff
member to the CSMD, they contributed $5000 (from a SAMHSA DFC block
grant) towards the drop-box program. This money paid for the storage
unit at the Sheriff’s. Their funds also purchased 50 hinged topped
storage bins, to transport collected medications to the storage unit, as
well as 5000 refrigerator magnets.
TC Solid Waste contributed $250 to the drop-box program. They were a
founding member of the CSMD and have provided ongoing financial support
to the outreach efforts of the CSMD.
4. Describe any significant unanticipated challenges, proposed
activities that were not completed and any emerging issues you want to
share with us. Include any significant changes made to your organization
and/or the funded program during the grant period.
The following items were integrated into the answer to question “1.”
They are reiterated here for clarity.
A. The CSMD has worked closely with local law enforcement agencies to
develop a drop-box program that would meet all of their needs. As the
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the program was being developed,
a significant problem was uncovered. Some of our law enforcement
partner agencies are accredited by the State and others are working
towards accreditation. Accreditation policy includes documentation
guidelines that are so onerous as to preclude these departments
participation in our program. Chief Margaret Ryan of Dryden worked with
the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Program and convinced
them to clarify their rules to allow participation in medication
collection programs that have a SOP in place. This was a victory not
only for our program; it cleared the way for all accredited New York law
enforcement agencies to participate in collection programs!
B. Except for the Sheriff, all of our law enforcement partners
required a box that was very narrow so that it would fit within their
limited space. The first batch of narrow profile, “secure” drop-boxes
that were purchased turned out to not be as secure as we needed. They
were returned to the manufacturer, though we had to pay for freight and
a 15% restocking fee. The unopened liner bags for the insert were also
returned for a partial refund. We were unable to locate any
manufacturer selling a secure, narrow profile drop-box.
We overcame this challenge by working with a manufacturer to custom
design a box that would meet our requirements. This effort led to the
creation of a box that our specifications and included additional
features we were excited to see. As a bonus, we received a $2000
discount from the purchase price as a thank you for helping them to
develop this new unit for their product line!
The design and build process was a long one, made even longer by the
sudden death of our contact, the company president of this family owned
business. The new boxes were finally delivered in April, just before
the delivery deadline we had set. We were able to install eight of the
boxes ahead of the April 27th one-day collection event, allowing us to
promote both programs.
C. The final unanticipated challenge we faced was that the General
Council (GC) of Ithaca College (IC) did not respond to their police
chief’s request to install a box. We have learned there are multiple
internal reasons for the delay. Recently, the GC asked that the request
be resubmitted. We are optimistic that permission to install will soon
be received and the tenth and final box will be open for use.
D. A series of media “buys” for radio and print were proposed. This
outreach plan was created pending availability of funds. Since funds
for this media campaign were not secured, we have directed our efforts
into lower cost outreach methods.
[1] ( about:blank#_ftnref1 ) Personal communication w/David Newman,
Executive Director, Health Care Cost Institute, Inc; 1310 G Street, NW
Suite 720 Washington, D.C.
[2] ( about:blank#_ftnref2 ) Falb M and Beeghly C. The Burden of
Injury in Ohio: 2000-2010. Ohio Department of Health, Division of
Prevention and Health Promotion, Bureau of Health Ohio, Violence and
Injury Prevention Program. October 2012.
[3] ( about:blank#_ftnref3 ) CDC WISQARS Cost of Injury Reports
http://wisqars.cdc.gov:8080/costT/ Received from author on 12/20/13
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
TOMPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF
SUBJECT: UNWANTED PHARMACEUTICAL DROP-BOX PROGRAM
DATE ISSUED: August 16, 2012; Modified August 31, 2012
EFFECTIVE: September 17, 2012
SCOPE: ALL PARTICIPATING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been created to maximize
the safety, security, and efficiency of the Unwanted Pharmaceutical
Drop-Box Disposal program. The drop-box program and this SOP were
developed by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with
the Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal (CSMD). As the responsible
regulatory authorities, the New York State Department of Health (DOH)
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
reviewed and approved this SOP.
This Standard Operating Procedure consists of three sections, covering:
Policy, Location & Hours, and Procedures.
I. POLICY
One day collection events and permanent drop-boxes provide a safe and
secure way for citizens to properly dispose of unused, expired, or
otherwise unwanted medications. Removing these medications from
residences reduces the chances for accidental overdoses and reduces
opportunities for illegal diversion of controlled substances.
Having access to a safe disposal method means that less medication will
be land filled or put into the public sewer system. This will reduce
the quantity of medications that end up in surface, subsurface, and
drinking water supplies.
The collection of household pharmaceuticals is permitted either by the
DOH in conjunction with the DEC or by the US Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA). The DOH interprets current federal law to allow drop-boxes for
pharmaceutical collection only in law enforcement agency buildings.
All pharmaceutical waste generated from institutions (hospitals,
nursing homes, doctor offices, dentist offices, schools etc.) and
businesses are subject to additional Federal regulation under RCRA for
the management of hazardous waste. Therefore, institutions and
businesses, may not dispose of their waste pharmaceuticals in these
drop-boxes or at household collection events.
II. LOCATION & HOURS
A. Unwanted pharmaceutical drop-boxes are being installed in the
following locations (Note: Box 10 is on hold until approved by IC’s
legal department):
Box 1: T.C. Sheriff, Public Safety Building, 779 Warren Rd,
Ithaca
Box 2: Ithaca Police Dept, 120 East Clinton St, Ithaca
Box 3: T.C. Dept of Probation (HHS bldg.), 320 West State St,
Ithaca
Box 4: Cayuga Heights Police Dept, 836 Hanshaw Rd, Ithaca
Box 5: Groton Police Dept, 108 East Cortland St, Groton
Box 6: Trumansburg Police Dept, 5 Elm St, Trumansburg
Box 7 Cornell University Police Dept, G2 Barton Hall,
between Statler Drive & Garden Ave., Ithaca
Box 8: Dryden Police Dept, 16 South St, Dryden
Box 9: TC3 (Tompkins Cortland Community College) Campus Police,
170 North St. (main bldg, rm 118), Dryden
Box 10: Ithaca College Police Dept, Center for Public Safety &
General Services, Farm Pond Road, Ithaca
B. Boxes will generally be available for use whenever the building
they are in is open to the public. These hours are currently:
Box 1: 24 / 7 / 365
Box 2: 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Box 3: By appointment. Call or stop by the security window.
Box 4: M-F, 9-4:30, except holidays
Box 5: M, W, F 8-4, or by appointment
Box 6: M-F, 10am-2pm, or by appointment
Box 7: 24 / 7 / 365
Box 8: M-F, 9-3, or by appointment
Box 9: When the campus is open: M-Sa 7a-10p, Su 10a-6p
Box 10: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 5 pm daily, excluding
holidaysAdditional boxes may be added at other law enforcement
locations within the County. If changes in federal law allow it, boxes
may be added to non-law enforcement locations. Under utilized boxes may
be relocated to other sites.
I. PROCEDURES
A. Drop-boxes will be clearly marked, securely mounted, and
locked.
B. Boxes will be clearly labeled with:
1. Information on what can and cannot be placed in them.
2. Who to contact for more information.
C. Citizens may use the collection box anonymously.
1. Under no circumstance shall personal information be collected
from labels on deposited medications.
2. If illegal drugs are put into a box, no effort will be made to
identify who placed them there or why.
D. Agencies hosting a box will be responsible for the security of
the box and for monitoring and emptying it, unless arrangements are made
for another law enforcement agency to cover this duty. Each box comes
with two keys. The agency responsible for the box will maintain strict
control of these keys. Only designated Officers will be allowed to
have, or to access, a key. Each agency will send the name, badge
number, and contact information for all designated key holders to:
Paula Phillips, Health Program Administrator
New York State Department of Health
Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement
433 River Street, Suite 303
Troy, New York 12180
E. Officers emptying the box must have had blood borne pathogen
training. Officers should request any necessary assistance to isolate
and properly dispose of any hazardous material.
F. Officers must wear disposable gloves when emptying the box,
preferably ones that are resistant to punctures by sharps.
G. Unlock the box and carefully remove the plastic collection
tote. Seal the liner bag (with a twist tie, tape, or a knot. Holding
the bag from the top and away from the body (to minimize the chance of a
sharp puncturing the bag and sticking you) remove it from the tote and
place it into a sealable, hinged lid, storage bin (supplied by the
Sheriff.) .
H. Once emptied, a new liner bag (supplied by the Sheriff.) is
placed in the tote, which is then returned to the collection box and the
box locked.
I. The storage bin is then weighed (to an accuracy of at least
0.5 pounds) and sealed with a numbered security zip tie. The officer
shall fill out a two part chain of custody form. The Sheriff will
provide each participating agency with a batch of consecutively numbered
security tags and chain of custody forms.
J. The sealed bin can either be stored in the agencies’ evidence
room (handling it as if it contained controlled substances) or it can be
transferred to the Sheriff (by appointment) at the County Public Safety
Building, 779 Warren Rd, Ithaca.
K. When a bin is delivered to the Sheriff, the receiving Deputy and
delivering Officer will weight the bin and record the transfer on the
chain custody form. The Deputy will also record the delivery in a log
book kept in the storage trailer. Each will retain a copy of the chain
of custody form.
L. Any discrepancy between the initially recorded weight and the
weight recorded at the storage trailer shall be jointly investigated by
the T.C. Sheriff and the affected agency. The first step to be taken
shall be a comparison, using known weights, of the scales. If a scale
is determined to be inaccurate, it should be calibrated (if possible), a
plus or minus adjustment amount marked on it (if consistently off by the
same amount), or a replacement scale secured.
M. The Sheriff will also accept medications no longer needed in
death or criminal investigations. These must be weighed and recorded as
separate items on the chain of custody form and in the log book.
N. The CSMD may make arrangements with the Sheriff to inventory
some or all of the stored medications from drop-boxes. The inventory
process may only be done when a deputy is present to insure that
diversion of controlled substances is not occurring.
O. When the volume or weight of the accumulated sealed storage bins
is close to the capacity of the Sheriff’s trailer, the Sheriff will make
arrangements with the DEC for witnessed destruction at a DEC permitted
incinerator (the Oswego County Energy Recovery Facility has been used)
or by another method approved by regulators. Disposal runs may be
scheduled on days when a one day collection event is being held. In
this case, the trailer would be filled with the material from the one
day event and then brought to the storage trailer to be topped off, up
to its capacity, before transport to witnessed destruction. Careful
record of the weight loaded from each source will be kept.
__________________________ _________
Sheriff Ken Lansing Date
RADIO PSA SCRIPTS (30 second)
This is Ed Gottlieb from the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Safely disposing of your unwanted and expired medications is easier
than ever.
Permanent Med-Return drop-boxes are available year-round in locations
throughout Tompkins County.
Clean out your medicine chest! Keep drugs out of the environment, out
of the hands of curious children, and unavailable for illegal diversion.
Bring unwanted medications to a Med-Return box near you.
For locations and hours, call 211 or visit healthyyouth.org.
************************************************************************************
A: Darn, I missed the medication disposal event. Now what am I going
to do with these pills I don’t need anymore?
B: Gee, Alice. Just take them to a drop box.
A: Drop box?
B: They’re a place you can bring unwanted medicines for safe disposal.
They’re all over the county.
A: Great! Do I need an appointment?
B: Not at most locations. Some are open all the time.
A: Where can I get details?
B: Easy! Just call 2-1-1 or visit healthy youth dot org
A: Thanks!
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