Utica, New York (April 2022) –The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) announces its Spring Take Back Day’s. Since October 2016, CFLR has been committed to enhancing prevention efforts in the community to lessen risky behaviors, addiction, and overdoses by promoting the MedReturn Units and Community Take Back Days. CFLR monitors pounds collected during these events and over 23,000 pounds (about the weight of a school bus) to date and hopes to reach its goal of 30,000 pounds by the end of October 2023.
The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., as part of their growing Oneida County Prevention Services, and in conjunction with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and Local Police Departments are working together in collaboration to “Take Back” unused/or expired prescription and over- the-counter medications, including pet medications by offering drive- through events.
The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host three Drug Take Back Days this Spring:
April 27th with OC Sheriff’s
Camden Apartments, Camden: 9am – 11am
Parkway Center Apartments, Verona Beach: 12pm – 2pm
April 28th with Utica PD
Schuyler Commons, Utica: 9am – 11am
Parkway Center, Utica: 12pm – 2pm
April 30th OC Sheriff’s and Utica PD
Outside of Utica Train Station on Railroad Street: 10am – 2pm
The Director of CFLR’s Prevention Department, Jodi Klostreich states, “having these take back opportunities to rid of over the counter or prescription medications that may be expired or unused, (including pet medications) are a safe and effective way to clean out your medicine cabinet. According to Klostreich, medications play a key role in treating many conditions, diseases, and mental health in general. But when those medicines are no longer needed, it is important to dispose of them properly to reduce risk from accidental exposure or intentional misuse or abuse along with overdose.” Addiction is a community issue and we all can play a role in proactive prevention by ensuring that medication does not get in the wrong hands, she says. There were 294,317 cases of improper medicine use in 2019, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Approximately 9% of those cases — about 26,317 — involved accidental exposure to another person’s medicine. Approximately 3,846 of these accidental exposure cases involved children 5 and younger.
Please be a part of CFLR’s goal of reaching 30,000 pounds, you can help by checking your medicine cabinet today and dropping off your items at one of the sponsored drive-through events.
Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.
