Senator Kemp Hannon speaks with a Nassau County police officer about the importance of the Shed the Meds program. Senator Kemp Hannon and Assemblyman Tom McKevitt are partnering with the Nassau County Police Department to help residents safely dispose of their expired or unused medications.

The “Shed the Meds” program will take place on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Garden City Fire Station No 3, on the corner of St. James North and Clinton Road in Garden City. Residents can drop off any medication that has expired or that they no longer need, where it will be collected and safely disposed of by police officers.

“Nothing positive comes from holding on to expired and unwanted medication,” said Assemblyman Tom McKevitt. “By just taking a few moments out of your day, you can truly make a difference regarding the safety of your family and our community,” McKevitt continued.

Throwing out medication improperly, such as flushing them in the toilet or pouring them down the drain, can cause pollution in local waterways and in our drinking water. Safe disposal helps protect the environment and keeps medications out of the hands of young children or others who would use them improperly.

“Holding on to expired medication of any kind is dangerous for us and our loved ones, and improperly disposing of these expired pills is dangerous for our entire community,” said Senator Hannon. “That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to stop by Shed the Meds to ensure the safe disposal of medication,” Hannon continued.

Senator Hannon’s Shed the Meds program in Bethpage successfully removed four 30 gallon bags worth of drugs from residential streets.

Residents who have questions about the program can call Senator Hannon’s Community Office at 516-739-1700 or Assemblyman McKevitt’s Community Office at 516-739-5119.