The Great Peconic Takeback A Great Success

On Wednesday, customers at Liggett Drugs in Hampton Bays were stopping by with armloads of medications to dump in the trash. They were participating in the first Great Peconic Takeback, in an effort to get rid of unwanted or expired pills safely, without harming people or the environment.  WLNG radio of Sag Harbor promoted the event.

Mark Hertz, pharmacist and owner of Liggett Drugs, said he wanted to participate in this group effort, along with 13 other East End pharmacies, to try and educate people about the proper way to dispose of pills.

"In the old days, people flushed them down the toilet, and then they'd get into the water, and people would wind up with drinking water containing antibiotics, or other medicines," he said. "Since we have a lot of regular customers here, I wanted to help inform them that there is a safer way."

Throughout the day on Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Hertz took people's pills, cancelled out their names in magic marker, for privacy, and threw the plastic bottles into a big trash container provided by Norsic Company. The contents would then be safely incinerated.

About 50 people came into Liggett Drugs to dispose of their pills, and even some from their pets.

"We'll take any unwanted or expired medication, and they needn't be purchased at a local pharmacy," said Hertz. As the day went on, the huge Norsic container was over half full.

Robert Iannone, 86, of Hampton Bays, came in with many plastic bottles of pills to dispose.

"My wife and I are both diabetics, and she takes 21 medications for this and her heart," he said. "Our medical bills are astronomical, and now Medicare wants to cut more. But I think this is a good program, and we like getting rid of our pills safely."

Eva Morrell, of East Quogue, said she heard about this effort on the radio and came right over. "I think this is a great program, and I hope they continue it every year. I love cleaning out my medicine cabinet to make more room," she said.

Erin King, of East Quogue, said she has two children, and worries less that they will get into the medicine cabinet now that there's less pills there.

The Great Peconic Takeback was the brainchild of Bob Grisnik, owner of South Thrifty Drugs in Southampton. He modeled this program on the National Community Pharmacy Association Prescription Disposal Program. Grisnik said he hopes to hold these "Takeback" days every six months, and to have the next one in April. So far, 14 pharmacies have participated, from East Hampton to East Moriches, including the North Fork, Shelter Island and Riverhead. In Hampton Bays, Center Island Pharmacy also participated, and in Westhampton Beach, Barth's Pharmacy participated.

These 14 pharmacies created the Peconic Independent Pharmacy Association (PIPA) in order to deal with the problems associated with old prescriptions and over the counter medications, which can be dangerous.

Statistics show that each year, more than 71,000 children aged 18 and younger are seen in emergency rooms for unintentional overdoses of prescription and over the counter drugs. Among young people aged 12-17, prescription medications have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana. Improper disposal of these drugs, such as flushing down a toilet, is another big issue, leading to environmental problems, and polluted drinking water.

Anyone who missed the Nov. 17 Great Peconic Takeback day and who has questions about medication disposal, should ask their local pharmacist for guidance.