The New Braunfels Fire Department is now offering a free, year-round medication disposal program, funded by a grant from Texas Health and Human Services in cooperation with The Premier Center at the University of Houston. The program, which uses the SUDS (Single Use Disposal System), will be available for residents to safely and securely dispose of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication at no cost. SUDS are self-addressed, postage-paid large envelopes that will be available at:
- All New Braunfels Fire Stations
- Fire Station 1 (Central Fire Station): 169 Hill Ave.
- Fire Station 2: 4120 Loop 337
- Fire Station 3: 333 East Klingemann St. (temporary location)
- Fire Station 4: 2210 Alyssa Way
- Fire Station 5: 1250 West County Line Rd.
- Fire Station 6: 209 Stone Gate Dr.
- New Braunfels City Hall: 550 Landa St.
- Fire Training Building: 424 South Castell Ave.
Residents can pick up a SUDS envelope at any of those locations. Once filled with their unused medication, the envelope can then be dropped in any United States Postal Service (USPS) mailbox. The drugs are then delivered to an approved location for proper disposal. There is no charge for the service, and users are not required to put a return address on the envelope. They are asked to anonymously fill out an accompanying postcard in order to give feedback on the effectiveness of the program.
“The New Braunfels Fire Department strongly encourages residents to use these envelopes as an alternative to throwing those medications in the trash, or worse, flushing them down home drains,” said New Braunfels fire Chief Patrick O’Connell. “Elderly or homebound residents may find this program especially helpful since a family member, friend, or neighbor can pick up an extra envelope for them.”
Funding for this program is made possible by the Texas Targeted Opioid Response Grant (Award Number: H79TI081729) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with the support of the Texas Health and Humans Services Commission. For more information, contact Danielle Campbell at The Premier Center at the University of Houston by calling 713-743-7016 or email dscampbe@central.uh.edu.
