Drug Drop-off Program for North Hempstead

Alarmed by the increase in prescription drug abuse among young adults and the heroin epidemic on Long Island, the Town of North Hempstead has partnered with the Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County District Attorney's office for a sponsored pharmaceutical drop-off event.

Pharmaceutical drop-offs will take place in seven school districts that participate in the School Recycling Partnership Program, beginning Saturday from 10-a.m.-1 p.m. at New Hyde Park Memorial High School.  

“The growing success of our pharmaceutical take-back program not only underscores the critical need for such an effort, but speaks volumes about the troublesome quantity of potentially dangerous drugs that might otherwise be left in households or improperly discarded, posing a threat to the safety of our environment and our children,” Supervisor Jon Kaiman said. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this vital program in Nassau County.”

Pharmaceutical collection also offers a means of keeping prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of our drinking water and landfills.  In addition, law enforcement experts believe strongly that minimizing the potential for medications to be exposed to illegal uses will positively impact drug abuse.

North Hempstead said it was the first municipality in the Nassau County area to host a pharmaceutical disposal event in 2009. The Pharmaceutical Collection Program has collected over four tons of expired and unwanted pharmaceuticals over the last four years.

See the North Hempstead schedule:

- Saturday, Sept. 28: Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

- Sat. Oct. 5: Carle Place Middle/High School, 168 Cherry Lane, Carle Place, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sousa Elementary School, 101 Sands Point Road, Port Washington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

- Sat. Oct. 19: The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

- Sat. Oct. 26: Manhasset Park District, (lot across from Manhasset High School), 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; JFK Elementary, 1A Grass Field Road, Great Neck, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.