Staten Island, Bayonne NJ Police Depts National Prescription Drug Take-Back Events Tomorrow

Bayonne Police Department Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs on Saturday, April 25, at City Hall

Editor’s note: We covered a similar event two years ago, on Staten Island by the Richmond County District Attorney.  This event provides a way to safely dispose of prescription medications that may no longer be needed, for whatever reason. 

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Borough’s Hospitals, Community Health Partners & Local Pharmacies to Encourage Staten Islanders to Participate in “National Prescription Drug Takeback Day” This Saturday

On Friday, Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon joined Borough President Vito Fossella, Staten Island University Hospital, Richmond University Medical Center, the Staten Island Performing Provider System, and Super Health Pharmacy to encourage Staten Islanders to make use of the borough’s “MedSafe” program and dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs ahead of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Funded by the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, “MedSafe” disposal kiosks have collected nearly 7,000 pounds of disposed prescription medications since 2017 and are available at over a dozen locations on Staten Island, including each of our borough’s four police precincts, local hospitals, and half a dozen pharmacies.

“While Staten Island recently recorded historic decreases in overdose deaths, the deadly scourge of the opioid crisis and addiction illness overall continues to plague far too many families in our borough. For nearly a decade, my office’s ‘MedSafe’ program has helped Staten Islanders dispose of several thousands of pounds of unwanted or expired prescription drugs in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, preventing these habit-forming substances from being abused or falling into the wrong hands” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

“We are encouraged by the progress Staten Island has made in curbing the opioid epidemic. This success is largely due to a coordinated effort and significant leadership by District Attorney Michael McMahon, as well as his MedSafe program,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “We remain a committed partner in this initiative and will continue to urge residents to utilize MedSafe boxes to ensure that expired or unused medications do not end up in the wrong hands.”

“Staten Island University Hospital is proud to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and to support ongoing community efforts to prevent prescription medication misuse before it can occur. We are grateful for the partnership with the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office and sponsorship of the MedSafe program, one of the many ways we work together to keep our community safe through prevention,” said Meagan Sills, SVP, and hospital president of Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our community extends beyond the walls of our hospital. The MedSafe program plays a vital role in preventing medication misuse and protecting our families by providing a safe, responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications,” said Daniel J. Messina, PhD, MPA, FACHE, President and CEO, Richmond University Medical Center.

“Richmond University Medical Center is proud to support this important initiative and to have a MedSafe receptacle in the main lobby of our hospital. Staten Island residents are encouraged to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 25 and to use the MedSafe receptacle available at RUMC throughout the year.”

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“Safe medication disposal is a critical but often overlooked component of overdose prevention. Too often, unused or expired prescriptions remain in homes, creating unnecessary risk for individuals and families across Staten Island. Programs like MedSafe make it easier for community members to safely dispose of medications by providing accessible, secure drop-off locations and clear guidance on how to do so responsibly,” said Joseph Conte, PhD, CPHQ, Executive Director Staten Island Performing Provider System / Social Care Network Lead Entity.

“Raising awareness of these resources is an important step in reducing risk and preventing misuse. Staten Island Performing Provider System is proud to support the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office and our community partners in advancing these efforts.”

“The DA’s Office’s MedSafe program has been instrumental in helping community pharmacies keep unwanted and potentially dangerous medications off the streets. We look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come,” said Dr. Mayank A. Parikh, Super Health Pharmacy.

“Beating back this public health and safety crisis requires a holistic approach and many partners, and I am proud to have expanded RCDA’s ‘MedSafe’ program to over a dozen locations on Staten Island,” added District Attorney McMahon.

“From prosecuting dangerous drug dealers to diverting thousands of Staten Islanders in the throes of addiction into treatment and rehabilitation programs to encouraging our neighbors to safely dispose of unused prescriptions and so much more, I remain deeply committed to doing everything in my power to defeat this deadly epidemic and we thank our community partners for their continued commitment and for joining us in this potentially life-saving effort.”

Bayonne Police Department Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs on Saturday, April 25, at City Hall