Town of Hempstead Collects 400lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

The Town of Hempstead, in partnership with Reworld™, successfully hosted two Pharmaceutical Take Back Day events and collected over 400 pounds of unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals. These prescription drugs will now be destroyed at a Reworld™ facility to prevent dangerous opioids from falling into the wrong hands and keep them from making it into the community’s sole-source aquifer for drinking water.

“Providing this free service to our residents was a slam-dunk,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “Not only did we get dangerous drugs out of homes, but we also protected our ecosystem by responsibly disposing of them and educated our residents about it for the future. I’d like to thank Reworld™ for making these events possible and look forward to future take back events.”

When someone improperly disposes of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away in the garbage, there is a likelihood that the medications’ contents will ultimately make their way into the community water ways and water supply. This can lead to costly remediation efforts.

“Reworld™ is proud to be a sustainability ally in communities across Long Island, supporting residents with responsible, accessible waste solutions,” said Dawn Harmon, Director of Long Island Market at Reworld™. “Events like these show just how impactful local partnerships can be. Proper disposal of medications helps protect our water and wildlife, a goal that aligns deeply with our mission. We're excited to work with the Town of Hempstead to offer residents a safe solution for pharmaceutical waste, contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.”

Pharmaceutical take back events also serve as an important tool in combatting the opioid epidemic. Saturday, October 26th marked the United States Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) twenty-seventh National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The South Shore Guidance Center, a Freeport organization focused on reducing opioid misuse supported the events.

“The South Shore Guidance Center is dedicated to working with partners on events like these, which are crucial for practicing preventative measures and providing resources to individuals struggling with addiction,” said Lisa Burch, CEO/President of the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. “Pharmaceutical Take Back events are a vital resource in preventing accidental exposure to opioids and other harmful substances. By safely disposing of unused medications at these events, we help protect our communities from potential misuse and create a safer environment for everyone. The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies applaud the Town of Hempstead and Reworld™ for offering this significant opportunity to residents.”