Murphy Brings Shed the Meds Program to Brewster
August 2, 2016
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COMMITTEE:
- Heroin Task Force
BREWSTER, NY - Proper disposal of unwanted prescription medications is a crucial public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Addressing the issue, Senator Murphy partnered with Putnam County, the Village of Brewster, the Brewster Police Department, and Drug Crisis in Our Backyard to bring his "Shed the Meds" summer program to Brewster.
"With a drug epidemic invading our neighborhoods and schools we have to be more vigilant for the sake of our families and children," said Senator Murphy. "It is important to remove hazardous drugs from our medicine cabinets so they do not wind up in the wrong hands. 'Shed the Meds' has been a success in Beekman and Croton-on Hudson. We are happy to make this program available to people in the Brewster area."
"The Village of Brewster is proud to partner with Senator Murphy on Shed the Meds Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day,' said Brewster Mayor James Schoenig. "Not only is it great to get the medication out of a home where it is not needed anymore and could become a problem, but it is important to dispose unwanted medication in a correct manner. I commend Senator Murphy on his efforts to make our community safer."
"We are concerned that people may be discarding their prescriptions down the toilet or into our waterways or garbage," said Brewster Police Chief John Del Gardo. "The drop off program has taken the old or not needed prescriptions and legally disposed of them. This is a much needed program."
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.
Upcoming dates and locations for additional "Shed the Meds" summer programs:
Peekskill - Tuesday, August 9 at Hayes Plaza, outside Field Public Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill.
Sleepy Hollow - Thursday, August 11 at the Village of Sleepy Hollow Police Department, 28 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow.
Yorktown - Wednesday, August 17 at Jefferson Village (parking lot area), Hill Blvd.
Somers - Friday, August 26 at the Somers Police Department, 100 Primrose Street/Route 139, Somers.