Slaughter Invites New Yorkers to Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Press Release

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter today encouraged Monroe County residents to safely and securely dispose of expired prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, September 26, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

"Drug overdoses kill more people every year than traffic accidents. Even more frightening, this problem is affecting an increasing number of teenagers, with one in four American teens saying they have misused or abused a prescription drug. These drugs are poisoning our children, putting our public safety at risk, and polluting our drinking water," said Rep. Slaughter. "Participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a great way to combat these problems and I encourage all Rochester residents to use this opportunity to safely dispose of their prescription drugs by bringing them to a participating location."

Slaughter is the original author of the Pharmaceutical Stewardship Act, a plan to expand Americans' access to safe drug disposal and ensure that powerful pharmaceuticals are kept away from the hands of unsuspecting children or criminals and out of the water supply. In the coming weeks, Slaughter will reintroduce her bill which makes pharmaceutical companies financially responsible for the proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The Pharmaceutical Stewardship Act would set up a nonprofit corporation, financed by pharmaceutical companies, responsible for establishing comprehensive drug take-back programs in every county.

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