White E Books
Dear Editor: Some of us have noticed lately that the overflow bookshelf outside the White Elephant is always empty these days.
I asked one of the volunteers inside, wondering if they were just not getting any donations anymore.
No, the donations come. The shelf out there gets filled – then emptied.
Her guess, and mine, is that some individual is coming along and scooping up the lot. Presumably to sell for their own profit, garage sale or whatever.
This seems like a not very nice thing to do. That shelf helps many people. I personally both buy books from inside and use the library, but there are times when both are closed and you need a read. Or you’re just going past and a title calls out to you.
That shelf is of benefit to all the community and it is sad to see it abused.
Perhaps it’s just a small disservice to the town, but after all, the cohesiveness and caring of the community comes from small services that we do for each other.
Just saying.
Nancy Metashvili, Sitka
Drug Take Back Day
Dear Editor: I am writing to inform our community in Sitka about an event that is fast approaching – National DEA Drug Take Back Day, which will be held on October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, Room 5. This initiative aims to address a pressing issue in our community: the safe disposal of unused or expired medications. I encourage our readers to participate in this important event to help safeguard our community’s health and environment.
The improper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications poses significant risks to public health and safety. When these drugs are not disposed of correctly, they can fall into the wrong hands, leading to potential misuse, abuse, and addiction. Furthermore, improper disposal, such as flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can result in these drugs contaminating our water supply and harming wildlife.
The DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day provides a convenient and responsible solution to these problems. It allows individuals to safely and anonymously dispose of their unused or expired medications at designated collection sites – for free. In Sitka, you can always find medication disposal boxes conveniently located at Harry Race and White’s Pharmacy, the Sitka Police Department, and the SEARHC Pharmacy.
I urge our community members to mark their calendars for October 28 and gather their unused or expired medications for safe disposal. National DEA Drug Take Back Day is a simple yet powerful way to protect our loved ones, environment, and community.
Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue, and I hope to see many of our readers participating in this important event.
Jason Own
With Sitka Counseling & Prevention
