Every day is Drug-Take-Back-Day: Ways county can help

Every day is Drug-Take-Back-Day: Ways county can help

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

Saturday, April 27 is the Drug Enforcement Agency’s twice-annual Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, but Every Day Is Drug Take-Back Day in Westchester County.

Properly disposing of unused drugs is an important public health, social services and environmental matter. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet, and drugs that are improperly disposed of can end up in our water supply.

Every municipality in Westchester County currently has at least one drug disposal drop box in their community. Most are located in the local police stations.

They are free to use, anonymous and secure, and the vast majority are available 24/7.

A list of the County’s drug disposal locations can be found on the County’s website, and a printable brochure with the list of locations is also available on the County’s website.

Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities will also be providing residents the opportunity to dispose of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, at the Household-Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The H-MRF is located on the County’s Valhalla Campus at 15 Woods Road in Valhalla. No appointment will be necessary on April 27 for residents wishing to dispose of medications only. For information about how to dispose of unused drugs at the HMRF, visit the Health Department’s website.

Earlier this week, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, along with the Westchester County Board of Legislators held an event with CVS Pharmacy, highlighting safe drug disposal drop boxes at 50 of the company’s pharmacy locations in New York State, including six throughout Westchester. These drop boxes are available during pharmacy hours at the following locations:

Katonah: 294 Katonah Avenue
New Rochelle: 309 Main Street
Peekskill: 1827 Main Street, 12 Welcher Avenue
White Plains: 325 Mamaroneck Avenue (open 24 hours)
Yonkers: 2290 Central Park Avenue

A video of our drug take-back event with CVS is available on the County’s YouTube channel.

Finally, the County has many resources available for people and the loved ones of people struggling with drug and alcohol dependency, including a new Treatment Connect Hotline for immediate assistance and referral to treatment, operated by the Lexington Center for Recovery. That number is: 1-833-515-HOPE (4673).

For more information about treatment and prevention programs, the County’s Department of Community Mental Health has a list of resources on its website.

Thank you for participating in Westchester County’s Drug Takeback Day.