North Hempstead Town grows drug take-back

The Town of North Hempstead is expanding its drug take-back program, offering sites around town where residents can get rid of unwanted or unused prescription drugs.

The first event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Rd.

Other take-back events are scheduled for June 18 at Carle Place High School and Sept. 24 at Wheatley High School.

"With prescription drug abuse on the rise, we urge all residents to go through their home medicine cabinets and take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of their unwanted and expired prescription drugs at our drop off location," Supervisor Jon Kaiman said in a news release.

The town began collecting unwanted and unused prescription drugs in the fall of 2009 and since then has taken in 3,000 pounds, according to the town.

For more information, residents can call 311 from inside the town or 516-869-6311 outside town boundaries.