'Shed the Meds' Drug Disposal Event Coming to West Hempstead

Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau), Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Nassau) and the Carey Dad’s Club are hosting a “Shed The Meds” event in which residents can safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

The event will be held on Sunday, September 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sanitary District #6, located at 80 Cherry Valley Ave. in West Hempstead.  The event is also being held in conjunction with the Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department.

“If you are like most people, then your medicine cabinet contains either expired or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications,” Hannon said in a release.  “Setting aside time to properly dispose of old medication is usually not high on our priority list. But holding on to expired medication of any kind is dangerous for us and our loved ones, and improperly disposing of these expired pills is dangerous for our entire community.”

Residents can merely drive up and drop-off any medication that has expired or they no longer need, where it will be collected and safely disposed of by officers from the Nassau County Police Department. Residents don't even have to get out of their cars to do this, Hannon said.  

“Throwing out medication improperly, such as flushing them in the toilet or pouring them down the drain, can cause pollution in local waterways and in our drinking water,” Hannon said.  “Safe disposal helps protect the environment and keeps medications out of the hands of young children or others who would use them improperly.”

 If you can't make this event, residents can dispose of unwanted prescription medications any time at the New York State Police Troop Headquarters in Farmingdale (Republic Airport), as well as any of the Nassau County Police Department Precinct locations.

For additional information or any questions about this event or other drop-off locations, please contact Senator Hannon’s Community Office at 516-739-1700 or E-mail him at hannon@nysenate.gov.