The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services today reminds New Yorkers to participate in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s 11^th Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. New Yorkers are encouraged to clean out unused and expired prescription pills from medicine cabinets. Disposing of unused or expired pills helps to reduce the accessibility of prescription drugs that have the potential to be misused. Medicine drop-off locations in your community can be found by visiting the U.S. DEA website.

“Prescription drug abuse can have devastating consequences particularly for teens and young adults in communities across our state,” said NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “I encourage all New Yorkers to take the simple step of removing needless prescription medicines from their homes and properly disposing of them. This step can prevent others from misusing these medications and potential overdoses from occurring.”

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 52 million people have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at least once in their lifetimes. Young people are strongly represented in this group with abuse of prescription drugs cited highest among young adults 18 to 25 years of age. Nationally, youth, young adults and college students who abuse prescription medications are also more likely to report use of other drugs and have higher rates of cigarette smoking; heavy episodic drinking; and marijuana, cocaine, and other illicit drug use. Moreover, a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) published by SAMHSA indicated that more than 70 percent of people who abused prescription pain relievers obtained them from friends or relatives.

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “The abuse of prescription medications is an ongoing concern for members of the State Police, and we continue to partner with numerous law enforcement agencies as part of the effort to keep these medications from getting into the wrong hands. Our participation in the Medication Drop Box Program provides an easy way for New Yorkers to safely dispose of these medications to help stem the abuse of prescription drugs.”

NYS Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Prescription drug misuse can lead to addiction and even overdose. More often than not, teens and young adults begin by obtaining them from the medicine cabinets of family members and friends.  This take-back initiative is vital in informing and educating the public about the dangers unused medicines pose to their loved ones and how we can all take one small step to protect the youth, families, our communities, and the environment.”

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider by using the OASAS Bed Availability Dashboard or by visiting the NYS OASAS Find Help web page. Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For additional tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing underage drinking or drug use, visit the State’sTalk2Prevent website.