ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Residents from across Erie County have surrendered nearly two tons of medications in just the past five weeks as a part of the region's drug drop-off program.
"It's very important that these be removed properly and taken out of the system so that we don't create more addicts, which is a big problem in our community," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
The program, which started back in 2013, has helped dispose of over 14 tons of drugs to date.
Despite the large number of medications surrendered through the program, there have been 80 confirmed opiate-related deaths this year, and 120 pending confirmation. That's why officials say it's important to dispose of household drugs the correct way.
"That's the gateway for a youngster, a teenager, to become addicted to opiates are drugs that they steal from their parents or grandparents medicine cabinets," Poloncarz (D) said.
The county has 26 drop-off locations where people can safely and anonymously dispose of dirty needles and unused pills.
The county will be adding two new drop-off locations in Wales and Boston in the coming weeks.