Town of North Hempstead officials say 200 pounds of unwanted and unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs were collected in Port Washington during a recent pharmaceutical collection program.
During a six-week drug drop-off program conducted by North Hempstead officials in cooperation with the Nassau County this fall, 1,400 pounds were collected in all.
Residents were invited to drug drop off unused medications at Sousa Elementary in Port Washington Oct. 5.
Carle Place collecting 360 pounds at their Oct. 5. Other school district totals were Manhasset with 280 pounds; Herricks, 240 pounds; Sewanhaka/New Hyde Park, 120 pounds; East Williston, 120 pounds; and Great Neck, 80 pounds.
"Not only does this help to prevent drug abuse, but it allows us to reduce the amount of pharmaceutical contaminants that may seep into our ground water," said Supervisor John Riordan.
In 2009, the Town of North Hempstead was the first municipality in Nassau County to host a pharmaceutical collection program, according to town officials. Since then, thousands of pounds of pharmaceuticals being properly disposed of each year.
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