Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that today, Saturday, Oct. 27, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Law enforcement in the region will be accepting unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs for disposal.
“Combating the opioid epidemic involves multiple strategies,” said Stirpe. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day offers one way to make sure people aren’t hanging onto dangerous drugs that can end up in the wrong hands. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet can save lives.”
A 2016 survey indicated that 6.2 million people in the U.S. abused prescription drugs. Many individuals who become addicted obtain the drugs from family and friends who are prescribed them, Stirpe noted.
Stirpe secured $17 million for Crouse Hospital to double the size of its opioid treatment facility and sponsored a measure to require insurance companies to cover 90 days of treatment for anyone struggling with addiction. He also helped pass a new law establishing a statewide drug takeback program to keep prescription drugs out of our water supply, while also helping prevent drug abuse.
Area collection sites for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The sponsors and locations are
- Cicero Police Department
- Kinney Drugs, 8150 Thompson Road, Cicero
- Walgreens’ Parking Lot, 6189 Route 31, Cicero
- Wegmans, 7952 Route 11, Cicero
- DeWitt Police Department
- Wegmans, 4256 James St., East Syracuse
- Wegmans, 6789 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville
- Manlius Town Police Department
- Police HQ, 1 Arkie Albanese Avenue, Manlius
- Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office
- Kinney Drugs, 437 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool
- Kinney Drugs, 9543 Brewerton Road, Brewerton
- Wegmans, 4979 W. Taft Road, Liverpool
- Wegmans, 3955 Route 31, Liverpool
***
