Prescription Take Back

Got Prescription Drugs In The Cabinet? 

Bring Them For Safe Disposal To the Ossining Village Court this Saturday, Oct 29th

Do you have old outdated and unused prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet?  If so, then please read on.  The Ossining Village Police in partnership with HealthSmart and Ossining Communities That Care is participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. at the Village Court lobby located at 86 Spring Street.  Lt. James Montague, says that “The Village Police are organizing this National Take Back day because we are concerned about the potential for misuse and abuse of prescription drugs in our community.” The local take back program to will be collecting unused, unwanted or expired over the counter (OTC) and prescription drugs at the Village Court Lobby and dispose of them safely.

Ossining’s own Dr. Tullio G. Bruno, owner of HealthSmart, says "Running a Pharmacy is caring for the community in more ways than just dispensing pills. It’s promoting the responsible use of these controlled poisons. Medications need to be used wisely.  Waste has a financial impact, but it also increases the exposure to our children, society, and the environment of these unnecessary hazards."

Unused prescription and OTC drugs present a public health hazard given the potential for accidental poisoning, abuse and overdose. Even if unused, unwanted or unneeded medicines are thrown away or flushed down the toilet, they harm the water supply and present a potential safety, health and environmental hazard.

Many Americans may not be aware that prescription drugs that sit in home medicine cabinets are susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.  The National Drug Enforcement Agency states the following: “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.”

Ed Walker, Youth Detective for the Ossining Police states,  “We encourage people to come down to the Village Court Lobby this Saturday, October 29 from 10-2.  We want to educate the public on ways to prevent prescription drug abuse and participating in this National Take Back Day is the first step.  So, If you got drugs – bring them to us and we will dispose of them properly!”   For more information, please call The Village Police at 941-4099