Shed The Meds Program Upcoming In Carmel

Three more "Shed the Meds" prescription drop-off programs are scheduled for the next month in Putnam and Northern Westchester. On Tuesday, Senator Terrence Murphy partnered with Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, the Town of Somers, Somers Police Department, Drug Crisis in our Backyard, and Somers Partners in Prevention to host one at the Somers Police Station.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, in 2013 alone, 60,000 young children were taken to emergency rooms after ingesting pain relievers, prescription drugs or vitamins that adults left either in cabinets, pill organizers, purses, diaper bags, or on countertops where children were able to reach the medication.

"A lot of people with large quantities of prescription drugs need a periodic cleansing of their medicine cabinets," said Kathy Cucchiarella, chair of Somers Partners in Prevention. "The Shed the Meds program is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of keeping old prescriptions drugs around the house. In particular, many seniors run the risk of overdosing because they accidentally take expired medications."

The trick is getting rid of things safely. Safe disposal helps protect the environment and eliminates the risk of these drugs getting into the hands of small children or those who might misuse them. Improper disposal of medications, such as pouring them down the drain or flushing them down the toilet, can potentially pollute local waterways.

Anyone with unwanted or expired medications can bring them to a Shed the Meds event where they will be disposed of safely.

"Shed the Meds is an important event," Byrne said. "Safely disposing expired or unused medication protects the environment, prevents young children from accidental misuse, and keeps prescription drugs off the streets."

Dates and locations for future Shed the Meds summer programs are:

• Yorktown - Tuesday, August 22 at Jefferson Village (parking lot area), Hill Blvd. in Yorktown.
• Lewisboro - Tuesday, August 29 at the Lewisboro Police Department, 79 Bouton Road in South Salem.
• Carmel - Wednesday, September 6 at Carmel Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Avenue in Mahopac.

ALL SHED THE MEDS EVENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO RUN FROM 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"It was a pleasure teaming up with Supervisor Morrissey, the Somers Police Department and local drug-prevention organizations fighting the war against addiction to help put the brakes on this runaway crisis," said Murphy. "By disposing old and unwanted drugs, we are helping protect our families and our communities. If Shed the Meds saves one life, then our efforts are worth it."