Bassett Supports DEA National Drug Take Back Day April 24

National Drug Take Back Week is currently happening through DEA National Drug Take Back Day coming up April 24 with the goal of addressing the abuse and misuse of prescription pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers or sedatives. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. Most of the time, these drugs are accessed by family and friends in a medicine cabinet in the home.

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Locally in Delaware and Otsego Counties, Bassett Healthcare Network is addressing this public safety issue to let people know where they can safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications. Bassett says "Removing leftover prescription drugs from the home is important in preventing medication misuse and helps to reduce the number of individuals who may become addicted to over-the-counter or controlled medication". Not only that, but properly disposing of medications keeps them out of the waste stream where they can do environmental damage.

You may think that you can only dispose of your unwanted medications during this special event or at other designated times during the year but in fact, Bassett Healthcare Network has disposal kiosks that you can use to dispose of medications for free in a safe and secure way throughout the year.

You can find a disposal kiosk at the following locations:

• Bassett Medical Center, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY – (607) 547-6681. The kiosk is located in the Clinic lobby near outpatient pharmacy | Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• O’Connor Hospital, 460 Andes Road, Delhi, NY  – (607) 746-0337. The kiosk is located at the outpatient pharmacy waiting area | Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• FoxCare Pharmacy, 1 FoxCare Drive, Suite 215, Oneonta, NY – (607) 431-5282. The kiosk is located at the outpatient pharmacy check-out area | Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Find out more about DEA National Drug Take Back Day at takebackday.dea.gov.