Nonprofit installs medicine drop boxes at fire and police stations

Reach Out, a community-based nonprofit organization, recently partnered with the Ontario Police Department and Ontario Fire Department to install medicine drop boxes at both departments.

The drop boxes, for the safe disposal of unneeded or expired prescription medicine, are in the lobby of the Ontario Police Department, 2500 S. Archibald Ave., and the Ontario Fire Department, 425 E. B St. They are part of Reach Out’s ongoing effort to reduce substance abuse and misuse throughout the Inland Empire, according to a news release.

“This is a huge investment in our community to have these boxes,” Diana Fox, Reach Out’s executive director, said at the Feb. 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the drop boxes, according to the news release. “We want to see these boxes everywhere, to make it easy for our residents so that pills don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

At the ceremony, Ontario Mayor Paul Leon spoke about his about his longtime relationship with Reach Out. Other speakers included Karen Haughey, senior field representative with the office of San Bernardino County 4th District Supervisor Curt Hagman; and Nadya Behena, field representative with the office of Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez.

Ivana Wright, district representative for Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, also attended the ceremony.

Reach Out’s community partners and staff who helped make the drop box program possible include Ontario Mayor Paul Leon; Ontario Police Chief Mike Lorenz; Ontario Fire Chief Ray Gayk; Fire

Capt. Dave Loomis; Pamela Martinez, director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services; Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez; San Bernardino County 4th District Supervisor Curt Hagman; San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson; and Peggi Hazlett, chief executive officer of the Greater Ontario Business Council.

For information about Reach Out, go to we-reachout.org.

COURTESY PHOTO