RVCPD taking back unwanted prescription drugs

The Rockville Centre Police Department is asking village residents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at RVCPD headquarters located at 34 Maple Avenue. Residents are encouraged to bring their expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to prevent pill abuse and theft.

“The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides a safe, secure, and environmentally responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs,” said Mayor Francis X. Murray. “I encourage all residents to take part in the program and rid your home of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”

Last October, Americans turned in 324 tons (more than 647,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at over 4,114 sites operated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. When those results are combined with what was collected in its seven previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 3.4 million pounds of pills.

“Medicines that have accumulated over time in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse,” Police Commissioner Charles Gennario said. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high as well as the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Protect your family and take advantage of this free service.”