Prescription Drugs: Secure, Monitor and Dispose of Rx Drugs

Our Solutions. Their Protection.*

Quite frequently our youth and young adults can merely open the medicine cabinet and there before them is a variety of drugs available for the taking: pain pills for post surgery, sleeping pills from an overseas airplane trip, cough medicine from last season’s flu. MTAC's Partnership for Success strategies have contributed to:

• • a 35% reduction in nonfatal opioid overdoses,
  • decreases in the consumption of pain relievers (70%), stimulants (56%) and tranquilizers (41%) by young adults (19-25); and 
  • increases in young adults not using prescription drugs without a prescription and tremendous decreases in access to prescription drugs in the home by young adults (19 -25).

Massapequas' youth (12-18) continue to report access to pain relievers: 

• • 51% of youth (grades 7-12) in Massapequa who misused prescription pain relievers found them at home.*
  • 33% of youth (grades 7 to 12) in the Massapequas have been treated for an injury or surgery where they were prescribed pain medication; and
  • Only 57% of youth (grades 7-12) in the Massapequas reported they have talked with a parent in the past year about the dangers of drug use. 

Consider to be trained in the administration and use of Narcan/Naloxone and its proper administration in the case of an emergency. Contact MTAC to learn more about naloxone training in the Massapequas (516) 799-3000 x 131 or mtacoalition@yesccc.org.

Secure and Monitor Rx Drugs. Prevention is the key to your child’s future:

• • Communication is vital to a healthy future. Talk with your child about the dangers of taking Rx drugs without a prescription. Click here to learn more about opioids and prescription drugs.
  • Warn your child, teen and young adult that taking prescription or OTC drugs without a doctor’s supervision can be just as dangerous and potentially lethal as taking street drugs. 
  • IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD IS PRESCRIBED PAIN MEDICATION, ask your health care provider these important questions: CLICK HERE for MTAC's Wallet Card.
  • If your child is on prescribed medication for a sports injury or dental/surgery, MONITOR the dosages and refills. Set clear rules such as not sharing and always following proper dosages. Click here for MTAC's Opioids & Sports Handbook.
  • Remove drugs from your medicine cabinet and hide them, lock them up or take them out of your house. CLICK HERE FOR MTAC'S MEDICINE INVENTORY SHEET. 
  • Supervise your child’s Internet use: Many pharmacy sites are not regulated and will sell your child medications without prescriptions.

DISPOSE of Rx Drugs:

DISPOSE of all unnecessary prescription medications in the home as 51% of youth (grades 7-12) in the Massapequas who misuse prescription drugs get them from the medicine cabinets of freiends and family. 

The best way to dispose of prescription drugs is to bring them to any Nassau County Police Department and dispose of them in a drop box in the lobby. Disposal at the precincts is available 24 hours a day. Please note NCPD does not take liquids, ointments or needless. Click here for a complete listing of Nassau County Police Precincts.

Click here for a list of Nassau County locations where syringes/sharps can be disposed.

Residents can also take advantage of our MTAC drug take back programs held in October and April. 

Please note that while Federal Guidelines state "Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so", residents should never flush any prescriptions drugs down the toilet or drain as it affects the quality of our water supply. 

*2018 NYS OASAS PFS YDS Survey

View MTAC's Secure Monitor Dispose Campaign >>

See all MTAC Resources for Opioids, Pain Medication and Prescription Drugs >>