CITY OF YONKERS OFFERS FREE DETERRA AT-HOME DRUG DISPOAL POUCHES TO SENIOR RESIDENTS

In an effort to prevent drug abuse, protect the environment through safe, permanent disposal of unused prescription and over the counter medications, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced on Sept. 14 that the Yonkers Office for the Aging (YOFA) has received 500 Deterra pouches from the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) for local distribution. The Deterra Pouches are designed to destroy unwanted or expired medications safely and permanently, making them unavailable for misuse and accidental ingestion.

“As the overdose crisis continues to change, we must take a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to saving lives,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “In the City of Yonkers, we take ourresponsibility to serve our seniors very seriously.  It is our duty to continue to provide viable resources, such as the Deterra pouches, to our senior residents to help preserve their health and well-being.”

The pouches are easy to use at home or in a clinical setting. Each patented Deterra Pouch contains a water-soluble inner pod containing proprietary activated carbon. To dispose of prescription or over the counter medications, a user places the drugs in the pouch and adds water, which dissolves the inner pod and releases the activated carbon. The carbon binds to the active ingredients in the medications. Once deactivated, the drugs are permanently and irreversibly destroyed, unavailable for misuse and safe for disposal in the normal trash.