LOCAL LEADERS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ‘NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY’

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY –With ‘National Prescription Drug Take Back Day’ just around the corner, Senator Sue Serino and County Executive Marcus Molinaro recently came together at the new Dutchess County Law Enforcement Center’s Safe Drug Disposal Box to encourage area residents to take part in the initiative and help keep dangerous prescription drugs off our streets.

The annual initiative, which takes place this Saturday April 27th, raises awareness about the importance of safely disposing of unused prescription drugs to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands or harming our environment. The local leaders encouraged residents to take advantage of ‘spring cleaning season’ by taking the time to go through their homes and properly dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications.

“Far too often, prescription drugs end up in the hands of those who are not prescribed them,” said Senator Sue Serino. “The ‘National Prescription Drug Take Back Day’ is a concerted effort to combat the opioid epidemic that has devastated far too many families here in our community and across our country. By taking the time to safely dispose of prescription medications, community members can play a direct role in helping to curb abuse, and this initiative goes a long way to raise critical awareness about the various secure drop-off locations available year-round throughout our community.”

Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro said, “It is all our responsibility to help curb the opioid crisis, the public health epidemic of our lifetime. Simply by cleaning out your medicine cabinet of old or no longer needed medications and safely disposing them at one of Dutchess County’s many secure drop boxes, you can do your part to help keep controlled substances away from those who might abuse them. Our drop boxes are available year-round and National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a great opportunity for residents to become familiar with the location nearest them.”

Over the past nine years, thanks to National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events, the National Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has collected nearly 11 million pounds of unused medication.

Dutchess County is home to several prescription medication drop-boxes that are accessible to community members year-round, 24 hours per day including:

• City of Beacon Police Department, 1 Municipal Plaza, Beacon
• Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, 108 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie
• East Fishkill Police Department, 2468 Route 52, Hopewell Junction
• Hyde Park Police Department, 3 Cardinal Rd., Hyde Park
• New York State Police, Troop K Headquarters, 2541 Route 44, Salt Point
• Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, 19 Tucker Dr., Poughkeepsie
• Wappingers Falls Police Department, 2628 South Ave., Wappingers Falls

Additional locations available to the public whose operating hours vary include:

• Village of Millerton Police Department, 21 Dutchess Ave., Millerton

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, noon-midnight; Sunday, 4 p.m.to midnight

• Village of Red Hook Police Department, 7467 South Broadway, Red Hook

Daily, 8 a.m. to midnight

• Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Pawling Substation, 9 Memorial Ave., Pawling

Residents can call 845-486-3000 to schedule a drop-off

Drop boxes are also available in Putnam County including:

• Putnam Hospital Center Wagner Cancer Pavillion, 670 Stoneleigh Ave, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512

10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

For more information on National Drug Take Back Day, please visit, https://takebackday.dea.gov/ or http://www.stopdwi.org/.