Vernon Police Just Say Yes To Drug Disposal Program

The Vernon Police Department is giving residents a chance to drop off their excess prescription medication in the lobby at the station at any time, hassle-free.

In a presentation to the Town Council on Tuesday, Chief James Kenny officially introduced a new collections bin for old and excess drugs. He was accompanied by Youth Services Director Alan Slobodien, who helped secure a grant for from ERASE - East of the River Action for Substance Abuse Elimination - to pay for the program.

The cost to run the collection is about $2,000, the chief said. Kenny said the amount of drugs that potentially needs to be disposed of "hit home" when his father passed away last year after a battle with cancer.

He said the police policy is "no questions asked." Residents can simply show up in the lobby any time of the day and place unwanted drugs in the bin, which is securely fastened (no, it will not move) to a wall just to the left of the records window. The drugs can be left in the bottles, he said.

Needles - any sharps - cannot be placed in the bin, he said.

Vernon police have acquired a small incinerator to dispose of the drugs.

Kenny said the new program is not only year-round, but will cut down on the 70-odd pounds of drugs collected at the twice-per year collection days.

Kenny was applauded for his presentation at Tuesday's council meeting.