THATCHER — The Town of Thatcher and the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties have teamed to help reduce the amount of unwanted prescription medications and seized illegal drugs in the Gila Valley.
The United Way presented the Thatcher Police Department with a check for $140,193 for a new incinerator.
“So basically it’s going to help Greenlee and Graham counties,” said Rebecca Thatcher, Thatcher Police detective who wrote the grant. “Not just the Police Departments, but mainly the Police Departments to get rid of all illegal drugs, Dump the Drugs prescription drugs (and) needles. And it can also go for businesses and the townsites; any types of documents that they have to destroy, it will burn anything. It’s a double burn, so it’s going to burn and then burn again. It’s the cleanest you can get.”
The incinerator is fueled by both electric and natural gas, and will take about six months to arrive. It will be installed at the Town of Thatcher Public Works Yard and is expected to be in full operation by the Fall.
The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties has awarded $1.58 million in grants and sponsorships in the first quarter of 2024, including $180,000 for Graham County Search and Rescue’s new multi-use training facility, $200,000 to Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition for a new re-entry facility for those leaving jail and prison, $200,000 to the Town of Pima for development of a new sports complex and repair of the public pool, and $100,000 to the Town of Clifton for an update on the town’s zoning ordinances and maps.
The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties receives its funding from Freeport-McMoRan, Freeport employees, City of Safford employees and private donors.
