SUNY Oswego encourages safe disposal of potentially fatal prescription drugs

By Felicity Stockwell and Asher Slayden

OSWEGO, N.Y. — Friday, April 17 is National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day, a perhaps overlooked occurrence, considering how even seemingly harmless prescription drugs can be fatal.

According to the New York State Department of Health’s 2024 Opioid Annual Report, opioids are a factor in over 80% of overdose deaths in New York state, and around 8% of those deaths come from prescription medication.

With that in mind, the importance of safely disposing of expired or unused prescription drugs cannot be overstated.

Fortunately for SUNY Oswego students, drug deactivation bags can be found throughout campus, in vending machines in both Penfield Library and Marano Campus Center. These pouches allow for the safe deactivation of pills, gels, capsules and liquids, quite literally by just adding water.

See above for a video demonstration with Trisha DeWolf, SUNY Oswego’s Assistant Dean of Students for Alcohol and Drug Education.