Murphy sponsors prescription drug drop off in Pawling

PAWLING, 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 diversion, misuse and abuse. Addressing the issue, Senator Terrence Murphy, in cooperation with Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, have placed a prescription drug drop box at the Sheriff's substation in Pawling to collect unused and unwanted drugs. A second drop box location is being planned for Beekman.

"Drug overdoses kill more people every year than traffic accidents. Even more frightening, this problem is affecting an increasing number of teenagers, with one in four American teens saying they have misused or abused a prescription drug," said Senator Murphy. "These unwanted drugs are poisoning our children and putting the safety of our families at risk. We look forward to the day when safe drug disposal options are commonplace throughout Dutchess County."

"Opioid abuse is a national epidemic and our greatest public health crisis, and the Dutchess County Prescription Medication Drop Box Program will provide locations in several communities where residents can safely dispose of medications in sealed plastic bags," said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. "Dutchess County appreciates the drop boxes which augment our efforts, but we can always use more to ensure powerful, sometimes dangerous, drugs don't fall into an addict's hands."

"We deeply appreciate Senator Murphy's efforts to help stem the tide of prescription drug misuse," said Pawling Supervisor David Kelly. "Combined with the continued vigilance of our police department, this drop box will help us get more dangerous drugs off of the street."

The drop boxes are a safe option for residents looking to get rid of expired, discontinued or unwanted drugs. The boxes keep controlled substances out of medicine cabinets and away from curious children who might accidently ingest them, or from drug dealers who would sell the drugs indiscriminately, regardless of the dangers to others.

From an environmental standpoint, the drop boxes are also important in keeping unwanted drugs from being dumped in the trash or flushed down the toilet, where they will eventually contaminate the water system.