SENATOR MURPHY ISSUES A CHALLENGE: “LET’S GET 1,000 POUNDS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG OFF THE STREETS!”
Challenge Part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
YORKTOWN, NY – Senator Terrence Murphy has issued a challenge to communities to collect 1,000 pounds of expired and unwanted prescription drugs this Saturday. Six communities in Westchester, Putnam and Putnam Counties – Yorktown, Mount Kisco, Croton-on-Hudson, Mahopac, Mt. Pleasant and Pawling – have gladly accepted the challenge.
The challenge will be held in various locations in recognition of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 22nd, and is spurred by the Senator’s successful “Shed the Meds” Program. Anyone with unwanted or expired medications can bring them to one of six designated locations where they will be disposed of safely by the police.
“There is a war of attrition going on with dealers and drug abusers on one side and concerned families on the other,” said Senator Murphy. “Anything we can do to raise awareness and rid ourselves of potentially dangerous drugs can turn the tide and help us win the war. I know our communities will be up for this challenge.”
“We are happy to be co-sponsoring a 1,000 Pound Challenge prescription take-back day with Senator Murphy and our Police Department,” said Mount Pleasant Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi. “Taking the time to dispose of prescription drugs safely is important in order to keep them out of the hands of abusers and dealers and out of our waterways. Prescription drug use is soaring, so disposing of old and unwanted medications should be a priority. We owe to the future of our children and our families to be proactive, to take potentially dangerous drugs off the streets.”
Carmel Town Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt added, “It is important we do our part to keep our communities safe from the growing drug epidemic. The Thousand Pound Challenge will be an effective method for disposing potentially dangerous unused and unwanted prescription drugs that could otherwise threaten our friends and families.”
Yorktown Councilman Tom Diana said, “It is an important public service to raise awareness and help our residents discard any dangerous medications. Bringing together community groups like Yorktown Against Heroin, Alliance for Safe Kids and Drug Crisis in Our Backyard reinforces Yorktown’s commitment to combating this ongoing epidemic.”
Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the problems from prescription drug abuse. In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids. Senator Terrence Murphy, who serves as Co-Chair of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, has long been in the forefront in the war against heroin and in getting treatment for those caught in its grip. He has also fought to reduce prescription drug abuse through his “Shed the Meds” program, which was held in Westchester and Putnam counties this summer.
The locations and times for the 1,000 Pound Prescription Drug Take-Back Challenge on October 22nd are:
Yorktown – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Yorktown Town Hall
363 Underhill Avenue
Co-Sponsored by Senator Murphy, the Town of Yorktown, the Yorktown Police Department and Yorktown Against Heroin.
Mount Kisco – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Westchester County Police Precinct
40 Green Street
Co-Sponsored by Senator Murphy, the Village of Mt. Kisco, the Westchester Police Department and the Mt. Kisco Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Council.
Croton-on-Hudson – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Croton Commons
175 Riverside Avenue
Co-Sponsored by Senator Murphy, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Croton Police Department and Croton Community Coalition.
Mahopac – 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Mahopac Library
668 Route Six
Co-Sponsored by Senator Murphy, the Town of Carmel, Carmel Police Department, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, Mahopac Chamber of Commerce and Putnam Chamber of Commerce
Mt. Pleasant – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Mt. Pleasant Community Center
125 Lozza Drive
Co-Sponsored by Senator Murphy, the Town of Mt. Pleasant and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department.
Pawling – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
160 Charles Coleman Boulevard
Co-Sponsored by Senator Murphy, the Town of Pawling and the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education.
