Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that Saturday, April 27, is National Drug Take Back Day and encouraged North Country residents to participate.

“The opioid epidemic has devastated far too many families in our communities and beyond,” Jones said. “Participation in National Drug Take Back Day is a crucial way to keep unused prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands, as well as preventing these drugs from contaminating our municipal drinking water and wells.”

This Saturday marks the 17^th National Drug Take Back Day, put on biannually by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). At the 16^th collection effort, more than 457 tons of unused medications were collected across the country.

Every household should check their medicine cabinets for any leftover prescription drugs that can be disposed of so that the health and safety of our families aren’t jeopardized, Jones noted. Local collection events will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

• Plattsburgh Police Department, 45 Pine St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901;
• Kinney Drugs, 288 Cornelia St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901;
• Kinney Drugs, 485 E. Main St., Malone, NY 12953;
• and Kinney Drugs, 868 US-11, Champlain, NY 12919.