Long Island, NY - October 24, 2018 - Senator John Brooks encourages all area residents to participate in Massapequa Takes Action Coalition’s (MTAC) and our nation's bi-annual Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 27th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Massapequa High School, East Driveway - District Office Parking Lot.
Residents and parents can help prevent prescription drug misuse by turning in unused or expired medication for safe disposal. If unable to attend, residents can drop off unused or expired meds (no liquids or ointments) any time/day at Nassau County Police Department 7th Precinct, 3636 Merrick Road, Seaford, NY 11783 or ANY Nassau County Police Precinct.
Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse. In the Massapequas, 71% of young adults who misuse prescription drugs get them from the medicine cabinets of friends and family.
Instructions: keep all medications in original containers; block out name for anonymity - do not cross out medication information; SYRINGES & SHARPS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please remember: NO thermometers, IV Bags; NO Chemo Drugs; and NO Liquids of any type.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America. Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Medication that is flushed, contaminates the water supply. Proper disposal of these drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
To learn more about MTAC’s prevention efforts, you can like MTAC on Facebook, go to mtacoalition.com or contact Cathy Samuels, MTAC Coalition Coordinator, at (516) 799-3000 x131 or email info@mtacoalition.com.
Massapequa Takes Action Coalition collected 400 lbs. of drugs and 175 pounds of needles at its April 2018 Take Back Event. Senator Brooks encourages all residents to participate in MTAC’s Drug Take Back Day, to help prevent prescription drug misuse in the Massapequas and surrounding communities.