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October 25, 2019
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New York State Office for the Aging Announces Statewide Medication Disposal Opportunities on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day—Saturday, October 26, 2019Expired, Unused, and Unwanted Prescription Drugs Can Be Discarded at More Than 200 Locations Statewide |
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New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen reminds older New Yorkers and caregivers that October 26, 2019, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Tomorrow, from 10 AM to 2 PM New Yorkers can safely dispose of their prescription controlled substances and other prescribed medications, at one of 235 participating locations across the state, which can be found by using the online collection site locator tool. “Many older adults are prescribed up to 14 medications a year, and over time, changing medical conditions can mean different medications,” said Olsen. Having expired or unneeded prescription drugs can lead to potentially dangerous situations from incorrect dosages, taking expired pills that are no longer effective, or having unused medication find its way into the wrong hands. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day helps older New Yorkers and caregivers dispose of unused medications safely to avoid accidental misuse or abuse." Saturday’s event marks the 18th time in eight years that New York has participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Last April, Americans turned in more than 468 tons of prescription drugs at 6,258 sites operated by the DEA and 4,969 of its state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. In the 17 previous national Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in more than 5,900 tons of pills. The DEA can only accept pills or patches, not liquids, needles or sharps. The service is free and anonymous. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs is also disturbingly high. Studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, there are concerns about unused pharmaceuticals getting into the wrong hands. More than 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared this public health threat an epidemic. The usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet—pose potential health, safety, and environmental hazards. Additionally, more than 250 medication collection boxes are available year-round participating retail pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities across the state to safely collect unused and expired waste medication. To locate a collection box near you, visit https://on.ny.gov/rxdropbox and click on the map. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, please visit the DEA Diversion website. About the New York State Office for the Aging The mission of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) is to help older New Yorkers be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected to the New York State Office for the Aging—download the NYSOFA mobile app for iOS or Android; visit the NYSOFA Facebook page; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter; or visit www.aging.ny.gov. |
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