Orangetown Announces Latest "Operation Medicine Cabinet"

Unused prescription medication pose a risk for improper use as well as the environment.

That is why the Orangetown Substance Abuse Committee, Orangetown Police Department and Rockland County Sherriff's Office work together to hold "Operation Medicine Cabinet" at least twice a year.

The CVS Pharmacies in Pearl River and Orangeburg and the Rockland County Sherriff's Office will accept old, expired or unused medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

According to a press release, residents are encouraged to take advantage of this service rather than flushing medications down the toilet. They are asked to bring the medication in its original containeder if possible, but sharp items, needles and other hazardous waste will not be accepted.

"It is a two-folded idea," said Ann Marie Hahr, executie assistant to the supervisor's office and a member of the substance abuse committee. "One is to not have perescirption drugs flushed into water system. Water testing shows drugs in water system. We can’t avoid people going to the bathroom excreting drugs, but the idea is not to flush them

"The other side is kids are now using prescritipn drugs to get high, so we don’t want them left around house. Most people don’t monitor their drug cabinets."