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County, Local Police Team Up For Drug Take-Back Program

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N. Y. -- Rockland County is teaming up with CVS Pharmacy to offer residents a chance to clean out medicine cabinets with Drug Take Back Day on Saturday at two pharmacies in Clarkstown and one in Haverstraw, officials said.

Boxes filled with prescription drugs at the last drug take back event in Haverstraw. Another event is planned for Saturday at three CVS stores in Rockland County.

Boxes filled with prescription drugs at the last drug take back event in Haverstraw. Another event is planned for Saturday at three CVS stores in Rockland County.

Photo Credit: Jane Lerner

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can drop off unused prescription medicine at the three designated CVS stores in Rockland County. They are:

  • CVS, 280 S. Main St., New City
  • CVS, 330 Route 304, Bardonia
  • CVS, 12 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville

Rockland County officials say the effort, started by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, is important because it keeps unwanted drugs out of the wrong hands, and provides for safe disposal.

The local event has been organized by County Executive Ed Day and the Rockland County Department of Mental Health under the direction of Commissioner Michael Leitzes along with police in Clarkstown and Haverstraw.

During the last Drug Take Back Day held in April, at least eight boxes of unused medicine was collected. Flushing unused drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pollute water.

“Think of all the pills that this very successful program is keeping out of the hands of our children,” Day said. “Eight big boxes of pills could have done a lot of damage.”

Only pills and patches can be accepted. The service is free and anonymous.

Last year, Americans turned in 309 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 5,500 sites operated by the DEA during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, officials said. For more details about the initiative, visit the DEA's website.

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