National Drug Take Back Day Coming To Flanders

FLANDERS, NY — Here's a chance to clean out the medicine cabinet in a safe way.

Southampton Town Police will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Agency's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day with an eye toward tackling a crucial public safety and public health issue.

The event takes place on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; residents can bring in expired and unused medication for safe disposal.

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs; the study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet, police said. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and
overdose deaths, police said.

Collection sites will be established at the following locations:

Hampton Bays Community Center
25 Ponquogue Ave
Hampton Bays

Flanders Community Center
655 Flanders Road
Flanders

Southampton Town Police Substation
at the Bridgehampton Commons
2044 Montauk Highway
Bridgehampton

"Unused medications that are not disposed of can end up in the hands of our most vulnerable
populations, and flushing medication will ultimately end up in our aquifer and pollute our drinking water," police said. "Help keep our community safe and clean by turning in your unused medication."

The service is free and confidential.

Police will not accept liquid medications, syringes, sharps, and thermometers.

For additional information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 National Drug Take Back Day event, go to DEA Drug Take Back or call the Southampton Town Police evidence and property section at 631-702-2254.