Somers sheds 150 pounds of prescription medications

SOMERS, NY - Scores of Somers residents responded to Senator Terrence P. Murphy's call to remove danger from their medicine cabinets when they came to his Shed The Meds event yesterday 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.

"Yesterday's event was a success due to our incredible partnership with the Town of Somers, the Somers Police Department and Somers Partners in Prevention," said Senator Murphy. "Our goal was to raise awareness of the dangers that are in our medicine cabinets and offer a safe place to dispose of them. Removing more than 150 pounds of prescription drugs clearly shows what a success this event was."

The Hudson Valley is currently enveloped in an epidemic of opioid abuse which very often starts with prescription pain medications, and can lead to heroin in a short span of time. As Co-Chairman of the New York State Senate's Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse, Senator Murphy has traveled the state in an effort to raise awareness of craft meaningful legislation to help our communities combat this deadly scourge.

Somers Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey said, "The goal of the Shed The Meds event is simple: offer the safe disposal of medications. It's dangerous to keep old or unused medicine, and it's irresponsible to put them in the garbage or down the drain."

Morrissey continued, "Your kids and their friends can get into your medicine cabinets and trash cans. At the same time, we all know the vulnerable nature of the watershed area in which we live, so flushing is not the answer. 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."

Unused and expired prescription drugs can be dropped off at the Somers Police Department. Call 914-232-9622 for more information.

Somers Police Chief Michael Driscoll said, "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."

Chief Driscoll added, "It was very gratifying to partner with Senator Murphy for today's event which netted north of 150 pounds of medications. 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."

Senator Murphy 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.