Oneonta Tackles Prescription Drug Abuse With Safe Disposal Option

A new community partnership was announced today with the goal being the safe disposal of prescription drugs.

The Oneonta Police Department and the City of Oneonta have partnered with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals to provide a lock box at Oneonta Police Station that will allow people to safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications.

"The majority of prescription drug abusers obtain the product from friends or family with a legitimate prescription," said Lt. Douglas Brenner of the Oneonta PD.

Further comment from Lt. Brenner:

State and local officials are praising the initiative, which is the first of its kind in the Oneonta area.

"Combating prescription drug abuse takes a community effort, and this is an excellent step forward in that regard," said representative Chris Gibson.

Senator James Seward said that "prescription drug abuse is a complex problem that no one initiative can solve."  He comments further: