500 Pounds of Unwanted Medication

The Putnam Communities That Care Coalition, which works to reduce underage drinking, substance use and encourage healthy choices, held a Medication Take Back Day April 23 at the Putnam Hospital Center.

Didn't get a chance to participate?

There are several drop boxes in the county where you can bring your unused or expired medications for disposal.

The drop boxes are in the lobbies of the Kent Police Department, Carmel Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Carmel and open 24/7. Philipstown Town Hall and Putnam Valley Town Hall also have drop boxes that can be accessed Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., respectively.

You may dispose of prescription, pet and over-the-counter medications. Please remember to keep medications in their original packaging if possible and to remove personal patient information. Syringes, lancets or needles of any kind will not be accepted.

Why do it?

First, unused and/or expired medicines that remain in the home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Second, flushing unwanted medications down the toilet -- as they used to tell us to do -- endangers our water supply and pollutes the environment.