Three Queens Pharmacies Participating in This Year’s National Drug Takeback Day

/
Hydrocodone pills. Photo courtesy of the DEA.

Hydrocodone pills. Photo courtesy of the DEA.

Three pharmacies in Queens will serve as safe drop-off locations for unused prescription drugs as part of Saturday’s National Drug Takeback Day, Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced on Monday.

A CVS Pharmacy in Forest Hills, the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Glen Oaks and Manson Pharmacy in Briarwood are among the dozens of drop-off locations boroughwide that will participate.

“We can all play a role in curbing the opioid crisis in New York and across the country,” said Underwood in a statement. “I’m asking every New Yorker to take a look at their medicine cabinet, identify any unused prescription drugs, and then visit clearyourcabinet.com to find out where you can safely dispose of them this Saturday.”

Underwood’s office also recommends that those planning to drop off drugs call to confirm that the drop-off centers are participating before going to the site. The drop-off sites will be available for use from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During last year’s National Prescription Drug Takeback Day in April 2018, more than 474 tons of unused medication was collected, with nearly 40,000 pounds collected in New York along, according to Underwood.

Both prescription and over-the-counter medicine will be accepted at the drop-off sites — no questions asked — as long as they are unused. However, illegal drugs, needles and sharps will not be accepted. For residents who are not close to a drop-off site, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recommends mixing medications — do not crush tablets — with water and then adding salt, ashes, dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds or another undesirable substance to avoid accidental or intentional misuse of drugs. See the agency’s full guide at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/67720.html.

The locations of the Queens drop-off centers are as follows:

  • CVS Pharmacy: 100-02 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375

  • Long Island Jewish Medical Center: 270-5 76th Ave, Queens, NY 11040

  • Manson Pharmacy: 137-69 Queens Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435