Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2022, as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York

Senate Resolution No. 2047 BY: Senator RIVERA LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2022, as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious concerns that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim Saturday, April 30, 2022, as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day; and WHEREAS, National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was initiated in 2010 by the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an attempt to rid homes of accumulated unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs in a safe and convenient way, while educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications; and WHEREAS, Unwanted, unused or expired medications that languish in home medicine cabinets or medications that are not disposed of properly are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse; and WHEREAS, According to the DEA, a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet; and WHEREAS, Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs; and WHEREAS, Among teenagers in the United States, prescription and over-the-counter medications are the most commonly abused drugs after marijuana; almost 60% of 12th graders who misused prescription narcotic medications said they were given to them by a friend or relative; and WHEREAS, The proper way to dispose of drugs is to take the medications to a scheduled collection event or take them to a drop box location; Prescription Drug Take-Back Day promotes drug abuse prevention and public safety by providing communities with an environmentally-safe, "no-questions asked" location to turn in prescription drugs that are no longer needed or are expired; and WHEREAS, During the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held in April of 2019, Americans turned in 468.72 tons of prescription drugs at more than 6,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,900 of its state and local law enforcement partners; and WHEREAS, Since the inaugural National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in 2010, the DEA and its partners have collected more than 5.5 million pounds of prescription drugs or approximately 2,750 tons of pills; and WHEREAS, Unused medications which are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink can also harm our water bodies and impact aquatic life when they enter the water supply; low levels of various drugs have been found in lakes, rivers and streams, causing harm to fish and other wildlife; there is also concern that drug-resistant bacteria may develop because of long-term exposure to low levels of antibiotics; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase knowledge and attentiveness at both the State and local levels to protect both the environment and the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2022, as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.