Springfield Pharmacy provides safe disposal of medications

SPRINGFIELD – A few days before Christmas, “Smilin” Steve Hochberg, owner of Springfield Pharmacy, installed a new MedDropRx prescription drug drop box inside Springfield Pharmacy. The drop box is one of fifteen across Vermont that were made possible by the 21st Century Cures grant through the Vermont Department of Health. Ludlow Pharmacy, which is also a Smilin’ Steve Pharmacy, received a drop box as well.

Proper disposal of prescription medications helps ensure that drugs do not fall into the wrong hands, get misused or abused, or pollute our waterways and wildlife. The Springfield Pharmacy drop box is available for anyone to come in with their prescription medications and dispose of them. The Springfield Prevention Coalition and Turning Point Recovery Center are joining efforts to co-sponsor the replacement liners of the box.

“We encourage everyone, regardless of where you receive your prescriptions, to take advantage of this service and dispose of your medications safely and securely in our new Springfield Pharmacy drop box,” said Smilin’ Steve. “We are so appreciative of the support of the Vermont Department of Health for helping us to get it set up and we want to thank Springfield Prevention Coalition and Turning Point for their sponsorship, which will help sustain this service for the community.”

Courtney Hillhouse, Springfield Prevention Coalition coordinator, noted that this drop box is the second one to be made available to Springfield. The first box is located at the Springfield Police Department. “Preventing substance abuse and protecting the environment are concerns that affect the whole community. When individuals properly dispose of their medications, they are helping the community to achieve these common goals,” Hillhouse explains.

Thanks to a partnership with Springfield Prevention Coalition, Windsor County Prevention Partnership and Turning Point, the drop box at Springfield Pharmacy will be sustained beyond the first year funding of the 21st Century Cures grant. The Partners are hoping other community organizations and businesses will also help support the Springfield Pharmacy drop box through sponsorship in coming years.

Michael Johnson, Director of the Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield VT, states they are “grateful to support the Drop Box at Smilin’ Steve’s Springfield Pharmacy to help promote safety and protection, and discourage temptation for our youth, elderly and those who struggle with addictions. This is one step we all can take by eliminating potential risks.”

The drop box is available during Springfield Pharmacy business hours, which are Monday—Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m.—5 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact WCPP at (802) 228-7878 or [email protected].