"We are far from running out," Director of Public Health John Morris said. Other local communities are seeing a similar pattern: Few people want the pills.

Last week the city received the tablets, commonly known as KI tablets and has initiated a distribution program that will last until today. The pills are meant to protect people against a radiation emergency at the Seabrook nuclear power plant, which is about five miles north of downtown Newburyport.

"In the past, local pharmacies have set up distributions of the tablets. This time the public health departments are responsible," Morris said.

KI protects the thyroid gland against exposure to radioactive iodine that may be released during a nuclear power plant malfunction. It is most effective when taken prior to exposure but affords some protection when taken after exposure. It is also most effective in children but does afford protection to adults.

The public's lack of interest in the pills comes at a time when the federal government is announcing a major turn in its policy regarding KI.

Three days ago, the White House announced that it will end the five-year-long program of handing out KI tablets to the estimated 23 million Americans who live within 20 miles of nuclear power plants. John Marburger, President Bush's top science adviser, argued there are better ways for people to protect themselves - primarily by evacuating during an emergency and avoiding contaminated foods.

The move infuriated Congressman Ed Markey, D-Malden, who called it a "reckless endangerment of the American people."

Tablets are still available to the residents in emergency planning zones, which include Plum Island, Salisbury, Amesbury, Merrimac, West Newbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Byfield, though area cities and towns say response has been slim to none.

Last distributed in the fall of 2003, the tablets were set to expire last year but because of a lack of supplies, the Federal Drug Administration extended the original expiration date to 2008, saying if stored correctly, the tablets would last.

"5,000 tablets only covers 20 percent of the population, but the allotment was based on previous distribution," Morris said.

In Amesbury, public health nurse Terry Arsenault says the response has been underwhelming at best.

"I don't think we have had many people pick them up," Arsenault said, noting the other members of the Health Department are responsible for distribution. "I think as a whole the distribution process needs to be re-evaluated. Schools have their supplies, but what about the rest of the population?"

Allison Heartquist of the Amesbury Health Department estimates her office has given out six tablets in the past two weeks.

In Seabrook, where the nuclear plant is located, a secretary in the town manager's office, Kelly O'Connor, said no one has come in for the tablets.

But in Salisbury, residents have been coming in regularly to pick up their tablets, said public health secretary Andrea Brochu. In Salisbury, the tablets are available any time during Health Department hours.

The lack of interest in KI tablets is a cause for concern for Citizens within a Ten Mile Radius advocacy group member Jack VanLoan.

"Anything you can do to protect yourself is worth it," VanLoan said. "It's like not getting a tetanus (shot) because you don't need it that often, people still get that."

VanLoan warns people of the dangers of living near the Seabrook station and notes the makings of a dirty bomb are right in our backyard.

"If you think of what would happen if there was an accident or terrorist attack then you will go and get the tablets, if you just think about the electricity coming out of the socket and you don't care where it comes from then you probably won't get the tablets, but there are reasons to pick them up," VanLoan said.

The state Department of Public Health strongly encourages those who live within emergency planning zones to obtain their free tablets. One family member may collect tablets for the entire family. The state encourages families to obtain pills for all family members - including children, even if their schools have already obtained KI.

"I would like to have them in case of a radiation leak," Morris said. "I don't want to go looking for them when I need them, and they are good for five years so what the heck, come in and get a three-day supply for the whole family."

The pills are available at the Newburyport Health Department tonight from 6:30 to 8. After tonight, Morris will accept written requests for KI tablets.