The statistics are sobering: Every 53 minutes in 2011, a person was killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States, and most of the drunk drivers involved had blood alcohol concentrations nearly double the legal limit of .08. 

“For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day and the days leading up to it have become synonymous with drinking,” said Monica Farrar, program director of The Resource Training Center in Amherst. “Unfortunately, that means that drunk drivers have made the holiday very dangerous.”

Covanta, a world leader in sustainable waste management and renewable energy, is honoring the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and Niagara County Refuse Disposal District in commemoration of the milestone attainment of the successful destruction of one million pounds of unwanted prescription medication. Both organizations have partnered closely with Covanta and their nationally recognized Prescription for Safety Program (Rx4Safety™) to achieve this milestone and were recognized for exceptional leadership in protecting local residents and the environment from the improper disposal of drugs.

While light is obviously fundamental for vision — try walking around a dark room at night without bumping into something — some light can prove harmful to eye health. One way to protect your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet (UV) light is with glasses or sunglasses featuring no-glare lenses.

“UV light is a major contributor to eye disease, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,” said Michael Tomasik, owner of Tomasik Optical in Orchard Park and Lackawanna. “Today there are lenses designed to filter out harmful rays while allowing beneficial light to pass through. One such brand we carry are the Crizal Prevencia No-Glare Lenses.