Shed the Meds Event Highlights Somers' Everyday Drug Lockbox Program

Scores of Somers residents responded to state Senator Terrence P. Murphy’s call to remove danger from their medicine cabinets when they came to his Shed The Meds event last month at the Somers Town House.

In four hours, more than 150 pounds of prescription medications were collected and destined for safe disposal at a county facility.

The event supplemented the work that the community’s been doing every day through the Somers Police Department.

“We’ve been collecting medications at our headquarters for quite some time at a rate of about 30 pounds a month, so we know there’s a need for this program and we’re proud to do it,” Somers Police Chief Michael Driscoll said in a written statement. “My instincts tell me there’s plenty more out there, so the community should know we collect everything but needles and liquids Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Somers P.D.”

The program helps residents dispose of old or unwanted medications confidentially and in an environmentally safe manner. Call 914-232-9622 for more information.

The Hudson Valley is currently enveloped in an epidemic of opioid abuse, Murphy said, which very often starts with prescription pain medications, and can lead to heroin in a short span of time.

“I’m grateful for Senator Murphy’s program and to our own Partners In Prevention council for raising awareness of our existing Drug Lock Box program which is administered by Chief Driscoll and his men,” said Somers Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey.

As co-chairman of the New York State Senate’s Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse, Murphy has traveled the state in an effort to raise awareness of craft meaningful legislation to help communities combat this deadly scourge. He plans to host additional prescription drop off programs throughout the summer across the 40th Senate District. In the neighboring town of North Salem, there were three overdose reports, he said.