Event Spotlight: Shed the Meds; Senior Citizen Fair

A dual event will be held next month for residents wishing to dispose of expired and unwanted medications as well as a fair for seniors.

The Senior Citizen Fair and Shed the Meds events will be held on May 2 at the Kings Park Library and May 9 and the Nesconset Library. Local agencies that provide resources for seniors will be on hand to provide information. In addition, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting their “Shed the Meds” program for residents who wish to get rid of their unwanted and expired medications for proper disposal. 

“Most residents possess prescription or over the counter medications to treat illnesses or health issues and expired or unused products can harm the environment and contaminate public drinking water supplies when flushed down the toilet or disposed of improperly," said Nowick in a statement.  "In addition to environmental concerns, abuse of prescription drugs is rapidly increasing. By disposing of unnecessary medications in a family’s medicine cabinet, the risk of someone else taking these pills can be avoided.” 

According to Nowick's office, in 2008, Suffolk County established the Suffolk County Pharmaceutical Disposal Program, known as Operation Medicine Cabinet, which allows residents to deposit unused or expired medications, including controlled substances, in a secure receptacle located in the lobby of Suffolk County Police Precincts. 

The Fourth Police Precinct, which is closest for Smithtown residents, is equipped to collect and properly dispose of unwanted medications and is open 24 hours a day/seven days a week. It is located at 727 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge. Medications should be placed in a plastic bag. 

Residents may also dispose of their unwanted medications during regular business hours at the Public Safety Office. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Agency is holding its annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 27 and unwanted/expired medications can be deposited at any Suffolk County Police Precinct and at the Northport Village Police Station next to the Village Hall on Main Street in Northport.