Nassau County - Long Island, New York

Mangano Announces Installation Of Prescription Drug Disposal Bins

New Initiatives Being Implemented to Assist Police, Parents & Citizens

Mangano announces installation of prescription drug disposal bins

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was today joined by Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale to announce that Nassau County will soon have permanent Prescription Drug Disposal Bins at all eight police precincts in Nassau County. Prescription Drug Disposal Bins provide residents the ability to anonymously turn in their unwanted, unused and/or expired painkillers and other pharmaceuticals.In 2011, County Executive Mangano successfully partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) several times for their Drug Disposal Program.

“Previous drug disposal programs have been very successful and we urge all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to rid their home medicine cabinets of these unused, unwanted and expired medications,” stated County Executive Mangano. “The recent tragedies in Medford and Seaford are examples of the desperate measures that an addicted person may take to obtain a substance that will decrease their craving or help them achieve the state of euphoria they are seeking and I am certain that this effort has the potential to prevent any additional tragedies from occurring.”

This Prescription Drug Disposal Bin initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Statistics indicated that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Additionally, County Executive Mangano announced the following initiatives, which are designed to enhance a police officers’ ability to identify illegal pharmaceutical drug diversion.

  • Police officers will have a pamphlet with drug identification information on the varied aspects of drug diversion and what to look for at traffic or other stops.
  • Nassau County Police will test any substances that parents find in their child’s possession to determine what type of drug it might be – no questions asked!
  • Nassau County Police will hang up Narcotics Anonymous posters with the groups 24/7 helpline number in all precincts, narcotics offices and arrest rooms.
  • Purdue Pharma will be underwriting the Crime Stoppers rewards for information on drug diversion, for up to $5,000.