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OSSINING, N.Y. Ossining Pharmacist Tullio Bruno was one of a handful of volunteers who spent Saturday afternoon painstakingly counting thousands of pills that had been dropped off by residents.
I'd probably say we're in the $50-60,000 range, he said.
A large number of residents took part in Ossining's semi-annual prescription drug takeback program Saturday, which allowed them to safely dispose of medications that had been sitting in their medicine cabinets. Ossining has participated in the program for about four years, and Alice Joselow said they're seeing more people. Joselow works with the Ossining Communities That Care coalition.
We're finding people are coming in and taking this more seriously, she said.
Finding a way to safely dispose of medicine has several benefits, Bruno said. Pharmacists like to see whether the medicine is being taken. It also prevents abuse, Bruno said.
It's like you're making dinner for 100 people and end up with two people, he said. In the end, it's all in the garbage. You don't want it in the water supply or used inappropriately.
Ossining Communities That Care coalition has partnered with Ossining police to install a 24-7 prescription drug collection bin that will sit at the station for residents. Joselow noted police have been keen to give their time to the program.
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