SAVE THE DATE - Bellmore-Merrick Drug Take-Back Day - Saturday, May 21, 2016

More than 2,000 teens (12-17) begin abusing prescription drugs each day, according to a recent SAMSHA teen survey. At the same time, drug addiction experts contend that abuse of narcotics such as painkillers are a gateway to illegal street drugs such as heroin.

To combat abuse and misuse of prescription medications, the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD, the Community Parent Center, Senator Michael Venditto, Assemblyman David McDonough, Presiding Officer - Legislator Norma, Gonsalves, Legislator Steve Rhoads, Legislator Laura Curran, the Nassau County Police Department and the Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick and North Merrick Elementary School districts are hosting a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, May 21, 2016 form 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Merrick Avenue Middle School, 1870 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY. Our event is part of an ongoing nationwide effort to collect unneeded prescription drugs, including controlled substances, for safe and legal disposal.

We encourage all Bellmore-Merrick parents and community members to help fight prescription drug abuse by safely disposing of unwanted and expired medicines. The drug take back program provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the community about the potential for abuse of medications. Additionally, the event helps the environment by discouraging people from using the typical disposal method, flushing unused pills or dumping them in the solid waste stream. This keeps them out of the drinking water system and landfills.

We hope you will join us to fight Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse. Let’s work together to combat this issue. Spread the word about the Drug Take Back Day with relatives, neighbors and friends. The more educated we become, the better we can protect our children.

If you have any questions, feel free to call Wendy Tepfer at 992-1086.