For Immediate Release                                         Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan

May 26, 2009                                                                          (516) 869 7794

 

North Hempstead, First on Long Island to Establish Unwanted Prescription Drop-off Site

 

Manhasset, NY—Expanding his efforts to help protect the environment, Supervisor Jon Kaiman announced the establishment of a collection site for North Hempstead residents to safely dispose of expired and unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.

 

The first Long Island town to organize and host a pharmaceuticals collection event, North Hempstead will oversee the safe disposal of unwanted drugs on Saturday, June 6 at 802 West Shore Road in Port Washington, the town’s STOP (Stop Throwing out Pollutants) location.

 

“Studies have shown that flushing or pouring medications down the drain can adversely affect our waterways and aquatic wildlife,” Supervisor Kaiman said. “Our exceptional quality of life here in North Hempstead relies heavily on clean, healthy water.”

 

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, pointed out that the negative impact of improperly disposed pharmaceuticals is such a concern, the Environmental Protection Agency is collecting data on the presence of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in our water, fish tissue and bio-solids.

 

“North Hempstead's new program offers residents a safe disposal option that can prevent a potentially dangerous health and environmental problem. This is a model program that we hope all Long Island towns will follow.”

 

State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said, "Supervisor Kaiman’s initiative to set up a locally-administered medication collection is an excellent way of providing residents with a safe and effective way to get rid of unwanted medications without harming Long Island’s natural resources. I encourage people to take advantage of this opportunity to protecting the region’s water quality and I thank the Supervisor for his continued environmental leadership."

 

“As recent reports have shown, disposing unwanted medications by flushing them down the toilet is potentially hazardous to our groundwater resources and the environment,” said Long Island Water Conference Chairman Joe Pokorny.  “The Long Island Water Conference applauds Supervisor Jon Kaiman and the Town of North Hempstead’s efforts to provide an environmentally safe alternative for residents.  We would hope that other Towns and jurisdictions will follow with similar, forward thinking programs.  Even though our drinking water remains safe, it’s important to understand that improper disposal of prescription drugs can affect our environment.”

 

“As a member of Supervisor Kaiman’s administration, I take pride in being an environmental ambassador for North Hempstead,” said Councilwoman Maria-Christina Poons. “Unused pharmaceuticals, which are often flushed into the sewage system, pose an ominous threat to our environment. I am very happy the Town of North Hempstead is participating in this program because it will help to protect our environment and ultimately our residents.”

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