The initiative, launched by the Drug Enforcement Agency, is designed to keep unused, unwanted or outdated prescription medications from being thrown out in the trash where children might find them. Additionally, the collection program prevents prescription drugs from entering the water supply since many prescription drugs are flushed down the toilet. The collected medications are turned over to the DEA for proper disposal.
On previous collection days, hundreds of pounds of prescription drugs have been collected.
“The Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a national effort conducted on a local level in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Croton Police to safely and properly dispose of prescriptions," said Laurie Dean, chairwoman, and coordinator of the Croton Community Coalition. "This program is clearly having a positive impact since we have seen a significant increase in the number of prescription drugs being turned in. Removing these drugs from the home minimizes the risk they may be found by teens or children."
For those who are unable to drop off their prescriptions on the designated day, the Croton Police Department has a prescription drug drop off box available at police headquarters.
The Croton Community Coalition sponsors the drug take back day, which is held twice a year, with the support of the Croton-on-Hudson Police Department. Officers staff the drop-off center alongside Coalition volunteers and pack the prescriptions for safe transport by the DEA.
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