The SNADD (Sharps/Needles AND Drugs Disposal) Program of Onondaga County

 Problem:

  • 4-billion drug prescriptions were written in 2012 with 259 million written for opioids alone.
  • Drug-related deaths have quadrupled since 1999 with 64,000 in 2016 alone.
  • An opioid epidemic is plaguing communities throughout the nation, including ours.
  • Limited options for safe drug disposal increase the availability and accessibility of opioids in our homes and communities.
  • The general public has limited, easily accessible locations for safe disposal of hypodermic needles, lancets and other sharps used for at- home healthcare.

Goal:

  • To establish a new system for proper disposal of all types of drugs as well as needles/sharps in Onondaga County. The SNADD program provides the general public an opportunity to dispose of unwanted or expired drugs, including opioids and other narcotics.
  • To encourage the general public to properly dispose of sharps and drugs through a new drop-off process at participating, local law enforcement agencies, promoting safe and easy disposal and reducing accessibility and availability of dangerous drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) holds semi-annual drug take-back events. The SNADD program complements these efforts providing take back opportunities between events.

Partners:

The SNADD Program is a collaboration of: the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Onondaga County Health Department, Upstate New York Poison Center, OCRRA, Covanta, Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, REACH CNY, and Prevention Network.

Locations:

The program encompasses 10 participating police departments (PDs) in Onondaga County including: Baldwinsville, Camillus, Cicero, Dewitt, Geddes, Jordan, Manlius, Marcellus, Solvay and Syracuse PDs. Most recently Onondaga County Community College and SUNY Environmental School of Forestry have agreed to install med boxes. Some PD’s and both colleges also collect sharps/needles at designated locations at their sites. The program is ongoing throughout the year. More information is available at http://www.upstate.edu/poison/news/news-archive/snadd1.php.

Expectations:

  • Each PD houses one receptacle to collect drugs, including narcotics.
  • Where feasible, each PD houses a separate receptacle to collect sharps/needles.
  • Receptacles are emptied and disposed of properly in accordance with state and federal laws.
  • Each police station/headquarters will be the SNADD-designated collection point for med boxes in its municipality.
  • Members of the community will be encouraged to drop off their medications/drugs and used hypodermic needles, sharps and lancets at these sites during their regular business hours.
  • The program will provide incineration of the drugs at no cost to the PD or community.