SPAWNY: Overcoming Pandemic Obstacles and Improving Community Health

As community outreach chair for the Student Pharmacist Association of Western New York (SPAWNY), she had worked with local partners to distribute Deterra Drug Deactivation Systems at events such as senior wellness clinics and DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

But pandemic restrictions meant that face-to-face/in-person community support was no longer an option.

“During times of isolation and social distancing, it’s difficult for older community members to safely dispose of their medicine,” she says. “Town halls are closed to the public. The annual Drug Take Back Day was postponed. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.”

Augostini reached out to FeedMore Western New York, an organization that provides nutritious food and support through its more than 300 agencies and programs, including Meals on Wheels. A new partnership was formed to continue—and even expand—distribution of the drug disposal pouches to the aging community during the spring.

The pouches were included in Erie County Senior Service bags, which also contained face masks and hand-sanitizer. The bags were given to seniors with their meal deliveries in East Aurora, Elma, South Wales and West Falls, N.Y.