National Drug Take-Back Day Saturday: 2 Collection Points Near Nyack

As part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, CVS/pharmacy locations in New City and Bardonia will host unused drug collection units to support local drug collection efforts by law enforcement.

It’s part of a first-time partnership with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to help residents safely dispose of unwanted medications, including controlled substances.

“We are thrilled to work with the DEA, Clarkstown Police and CVS/pharmacy on this initiative, which augments the County’s existing drug collection programs hosted by our local police agencies,” said County Executive Ed Day in a prepared statement. “We know some residents have an aversion to visiting a police station. Placing collection bins inside CVS locations allows people to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs in an everyday environment.”

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. this Saturday, September 26, bring pills for disposal to:

• CVS/pharmacy: 280 South Main Street, New City, New York 10956
• CVS/pharmacy: 330 Route 304, Bardonia, New York 10954

The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 309 tons (over 617,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 5,500 sites operated by the DEA during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to prescription drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the September 26 Take-Back Day events at CVS/pharmacy locations in New City and Bardonia, visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control website at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/