LOCAL LAW NO. "K" FOR 2021
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK, TO PROVIDE FOR THE SAFE DISPOSAL OF OPIOID MEDICATIONS
Introduced: 9/13/21
By: Messrs. A. Joyce, Feeney and Domalewicz, Beston, Bruschi, Ms. Chapman, Messrs. Clay, Cleary, Commisso, Efekoro, Ethier, Fein, R. Joyce, Kuhn, Ms. Lekakis, Mr. Mayo, Mss. McLaughlin, Mclean Lane, Messrs. Miller, Reidy, Reinhardt, Ricard, Simpson, Smith and Peter:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, as follows:
SECTION 1: TITLE
This Local Law shall be known as "The Albany County Prescription Opioid Safe Disposal Law."
SECTION 2: PURPOSE AND INTENT
In 2017, this honorable body authorized the County Attorney to join litigation against major drug manufacturers to recover current and future damages to the County taxpayers from abuse of opioid pharmaceuticals. Since then, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increase in drug-related overdoses in the County. Any reduction in the availability of opioid medications by persons for which the drugs were not prescribed will assist the efforts of ending the opioid epidemic. Proper safe disposal of unused opioids is essential to being certain the drugs do not end up in the wrong hands, or in our environment.
Portable personal use pharmaceutical disposal systems enable the safe and environmentally friendly deactivation of the harmful chemical compounds in opioids. These inexpensive devices can assist in the proper disposal of opioids if provided to wherever a prescription is filled. Under the Albany County Prescription Opioid Safe Disposal Law, points of distribution for prescription opioids within the County will be required to provide each patient with a portable personal use pharmaceutical disposal system with each opioid prescription. Placing prescription opioid disposal systems directly in the hands of patients when the prescription is delivered will provide a more immediate and efficient opportunity for patient...
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