Massapequa Drug Take-Back Day A Success

Sen. John Brooks said that the Drug-Take Back Day he sponsored on April 28 was a big success, collecting hundreds of pounds of drugs.

The participation from Massapequa and many surrounding communities was very robust, with about 500 pounds of medications dropped off for safe disposal at Massapequa High School. Also collected were 175 pounds of needles/syringes.

The Massapequa Drug & Medication Take-Back Day was organized to provide the community with a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. The event was part of a larger, ongoing nationwide effort to collect unneeded prescription drugs, including controlled substances, for safe and legal disposal.

This initiative addressed a vital, nationwide public safety and public health concern. More than 2,000 teens begin abusing prescription drugs each day, according to a teen survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. At the same time, drug addiction experts contend that abuse of prescribed or legal narcotics, such as painkillers, are a gateway to illegal street drugs such as heroin. The rates of prescription drug abuse in the U. S. are high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from homes’ medicine cabinets.

In addition, when drugs are thrown away at home or flushed down the toilet, studies have shown that the chemicals in them often wind up in drinking water.

“I wish to thank all those who took pro-active steps to keep us safe from drug use and protect our youth, our community and our environment by disposing of prescription and over-the-counter medications, needles and syringes," Brooks said. "By continuously working together we can make major improvements in seemingly insurmountable community problems.”

Photo: Sen. Brooks's Office