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Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office Announces National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

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The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office announced its participation in this year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which provides and opportunity for the public to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs. The event takes place on April 24, 2021 from 10am to 2pm at the Sheriff’s Office Substation in Princetown.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period.

"Unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs can sometimes fall into the wrong hands,” said Sheriff Dominic Dagostino. “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is the perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of any of these items you may have, to help keep your friends and family safe."

The public can drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at local collections sites, including tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. Vaping devices and cartridges will be accepted provided lithium batteries are removed.

Drop-Off Locations

Visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/ to find a drop-off location near you.

Schenectady County drop-off locations include:

Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office Substation in Princetown (130 Princetown Plaza, 12306)

Glenville Police Department (18 Glenridge Road, 12302

Schenectady Police Department (531 Liberty Street, 12305)

Rotterdam Police Department (101 Princetown Road, 12306)

Niskayuna Town Hall (1 Niskayuna Circle, 12309)

The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office and the National Guard Counter Drug Program have teamed up with CVS/pharmacy Medical Disposal for Safer Communities Program to help communities safely dispose of unwanted medications, including controlled substances that may otherwise be diverted, abused or contaminate our water supply. A drop-box is available at the Schenectady County Jail, 320 Veeder Ave, Schenectady 12307 from 9am to 5pm Monday – Friday.

More information about the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office is available at www.schenectadycounty.com/sheriff.